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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



A History of the 
Brethren in Virginia 




Elgin, Illinois 
Brethren Publishing House 
1908 



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APR 22 1908 
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Copyright, 1908. 
By D. H. Zigler. 



LC Control Number 




tmp96 028030 



In M^emory 

Of the Faithful Ones of the Past and as a Tok^n 
of the High Appreciation of the Conse- 
crated WorJ^ers of the Present, 

*CAis Volume is jlffectionately T)edicated 



INTRODUCTION 

History Is always a fascinating subject. Few things 
appeal to us more strongly than the achievements of 
generations that have passed. Their trials, their dif- 
ficulties, the light and the shade of their varied ex- 
periences were not very different from those that we 
shall have to encounter. And our prospects for ac- 
quitting ourselves in the battle of life better than they 
have done will depend very largely on how well we 
have learned the lesson of their successes and failures. 

As a people, we Dunkers have been strangely care- 
less in regard to our past. We have kept few records 
and many of these are imperfect and incomplete. Like 
true men in any great cause, our predecessors have 
been content to work patiently and in obscurity, trust- 
ing to Providence for results, and little suspecting the 
far-reaching significance with which their humble 
labors were fraught. They little dreamed that they 
were making history, and that of the truest and noblest 
sort. Had they done so, they might have kept a fuller 
and more accurate record of their doings. 

The fact that, until recently, we have given no 
adequate account of ourselves to the world has led to 
endless confusion and misunderstanding. I suppose 
no people have been less understood and more persist- 
ently misrepresented than we. We have been accused 
of holding views that we never held, and have been 
identified with bodies with which we never had anv- 



INTRODUCTION 

thing in common. Yet we have ourselves chiefly to 
blame for this state of things. We have not put our- 
selves to the pains of correcting the errors. 

Within the last score of years, hov^ever, some highly 
commendable work has been done to set ourselves 
right before our fellow men. This period has wit- 
nessed a remarkable awakening of interest in our early 
history, and much valuable information has been 
brought to light. Every new contribution to our 
knowledge of these earlier times is hailed with eager 
interest. 

There are various phases of our history as a church, 
however, that have not yet been exploited, and there 
is much interesting history of a local character that is 
only awaiting the chronicler. This latter is an inviting 
and fruitful field, and will doubtless, in the years to 
come, yield a rich harvest of inspiring truth, when the 
facts are once culled out and recorded. It is to this 
latter class that the present work belongs. 

When persecutions and war drove many of our 
early Brethren away from their adopted homes in 
Pennsylvania, the broad and fertile valley of the 
Shenandoah oflfered them an inviting asylum. And 
here many of them settled. Since the first of them 
located here and began to build up churches one whole 
century and one-third of another have passed away, 
yet in all this time they have had no historian — no one 
to preserve a record of their work. Consequently 
many important facts of their lives, their labors, their 
heroism, have been irretrievably lost. But if facts 
have perished, the results of their labors still live. 

In making a careful investigation of this field and 

vi 



INTRODUCTION 

bringing" to light its varied activities Brother Zigler 
has done an excellent piece of work, and has placed 
the church at large and the Virginia churches in par- 
ticular under lasting obligations. His diligent re- 
searches have resulted in unlocking unsuspected stores 
of wealth. He has succeeded in giving to his narra- 
tive a degree of fulness and completeness that to the 
casual student would have seemed impossible. 

He has done for the churches in Virginia what 
should be done in many other parts of the Brotherhood. 
It is to be hoped that his example may be an en- 
couragement to others to do a like service for their 
sections. 

I have read the book with a great deal of interest. 
It Is a fascinating story, in which our own ancestors 
are the actors. The role that they have played in this 
life drama, and the noble manner in which they played 
it, ought to be an inspiration to us. The book will do 
much good and deserves to be widely circulated and 
read. Jno. S. Flory, 



Vli 



PREFACE 

The following pages were the outgrowth of a series 
of lectures on the Second District of Virginia delivered 
at Bridgewater College during the Bible Term of 1904. 
For a time thereafter it was the purpose of the Dis- 
trict Mission Board to publish the work in pamphlet 
form, but the lack of sufficient reliable data at that 
time with other causes deterred the prosecution of the 
plan. In the years that have intervened additional 
matter has been obtained to such an extent that the 
present volume appears much beyond its first intended 
proportions and now assumes the title of " A History 
of the Brethren in Virginia." This, however, was 
only accomplished by a most persistent and painstak- 
ing research. 

Content with the consciousness of having done their 
part in the uplift of their fellow men, the Brethren in 
Virginia left few early records of their struggle to es- 
tablish and maintain primitive Christianity in this fair 
Southland. If it were possible to have the story told 
over again by the actors themselves, or could we lift 
the curtain that veils the past and look upon the 
scenes of bygone years as they transpired, how much 
more complete the record would be ! But the Hps that 
then spoke are stilled forever; the hands that could 
have written are cold in death ; and the past is obliter- 
ated by a pall as dark as midnight. Wherefore, it 
only remains for the writer of the present to gather the 

ix 



PREFACE 

facts thread by thread and weave them in one by one 
until the whole record is given. 

Of the works now extant none of them purport to 
give more than a fragmentary account of the church 
in Virginia. These writers have been content to cir- 
cumscribe their narratives to a given period of his- 
tory, or to a delineation of the lives of distinguished 
individuals. These have served the important purpose 
of giving information on the special subjects in hand. 
Yet little effort has been made to record the events 
as they transpired and the causes leading thereto. 
For this reason few people have been so little under- 
stood by the general public. This condition has been 
true throughout the different periods. Especially was 
this so in their opposition to slavery during that dark 
epoch of American history and in their refusal to par- 
ticipate in the unfortunate conflict between the North 
and the South. In no less degree is this true of the 
position of the church, at the present time, against 
hurtful and un-Christian indulgences. Wherefore, 
there is a growing demand for further information 
relative to the works of righteousness of our forefa- 
thers and more knowledge of the present activity of 
the church. 

To meet these requirements this volume is written, 
and no labor has been spared to make the work au- 
thentic. But this was by no means a small undertak- 
ing on account, as previously mentioned, of a lack of 
direct records. In order to supply this deficiency, the 
facts needed to be gleaned from old letters, ancient 
documents, county records, and the archives of the 
state and the nation. Although the undertaking at 

X 



PREFACE 

first appeared by no means promising, yet the field 
has proven a surprisingly fruitful one and the char- 
acter and amount of matter obtained has far surpassed 
the most sanguine expectation. This was true to such 
an extent that in numerous instances it became a 
problem which should be used to exemplify the point 
under consideration. 

In this connection the author would acknowledge 
with a deep feeling of gratitude his indebtedness to the 
many individuals who so kindly assisted in this work 
and contributed of their knowledge to make this vol- 
ume worthy of its present claims. To enumerate all 
of these would make a long list. Many of them, 
however, appear in connection with the articles writ- 
ten expressly for this work. At this place grateful 
acknowledgement is made of the helpful service of 
Eld. T. C. Denton, Daleville, Virginia, who was ap- 
pointed by the District Meeting of the First District 
of Virginia to collate data ; Dr. John S. Flory, Bridge- 
water College, for translation of old papers and other 
valuable service rendered ; Eld. C. D. Hylton, Trinity, 
Virginia, for assistance in numerous ways ; Rev. S. L. 
Bowman, Daphna, Virginia, for special investigation 
relative to early settlers in Roclcingham County ; Pres. 
W. B. Yount, Bridgewater College, for valuable sug- 
gestions ; Eld. George Wine, Ottobine, Virginia, who 
contributed liberally of his fund of information ; and 
David J. Wine, Forrestville, A^irginia, for data relative 
to the settlers in Shenandoah County. In addition to 
these, Eld. Benjamin Miller, Eld. Samuel Driver, Eld. 
Daniel Hays, Eld. J. M. Kagey, and Eld. S. A. Sanger 
assisted in the work by helpful suggestions and per- 

xi 



PREFACE 

sonal observations. Furthermore, the author would 
especially make mention of old papers of exceeding 
value, without which a history of the church in Vir- 
ginia would be very incomplete, contributed by Eld. 
John P. Zigler, now deceased, and Michael Zigler, 
Broadway, Virginia. Sisters Sadie Zigler and Rebecca 
Bowman furnished a number of the illustrations. To all 
these and to many other brethren and sisters, who con- 
tributed by helpful suggestions and words of en- 
couragement, the author would express his sincere 
thanks. 

The work of collating material, although arduous, 
was not devoid of pleasure. The discovery of an ad- 
ditional record ; the finding of a new link in the chain 
of evidence and beholding a fact newly brought to 
light was the great power that sustained during these 
hours of search. The data has been carefully used as 
collated except the correction of grammatical errors 
and abridgment in some instances. If any omissions 
have been unjustly made, it is unknown to the author. 

The title of the book has been suggested by the 
repeated affectionate use of the term Brethren in their 
correspondence. Especially was this true during the 
dark and trying times of the Civil War. In this in- 
stance it is used in full recognition of the name Ger- 
man Baptist Brethren as sanctioned by the General 
Conference of the church and should be so understood 
by the reader. The names Dunkard, Dunker, Tunker. 
etc., are only used as they appear in some of the old 
writings. 

In addition to the past records of the church, a 
carefully prepared map is given, which shows the 
xii 



PREFACE 

localities in which the Brethren live and the division 
of the State into the two districts. Also an account of 
the present activities of the church is written in the 
closing chapters of the book. 

How successfully the work is accomplished, the 
reader is the best judge. May all that has been done 
go forth on a mission of love to the honor and glory 

of God. D. H. ZiGLER 

Broadway, Virginia, 

February, ij, ipo8. 



Xlll 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

Organization of the Church in Germany — The Fhght 
to America — The Sojourn in Pennsylvania, 19 

CHAPTER II. 

Migration to Virginia — The Valley of Virginia — 
Causes Leading to the Settlement in the Valley,.. 29 

CHAPTER III. 
Additional Settlements — Character of Settlers, 39 

CHAPTER IV. 

Church Organization — Origin of District Meeting — Mis- 
sionary Activity, 57 

CHAPTER V. 
Slavery, 73 

CHAPTER VI. 

Period of Civil War — Oppression — Exemption Acts 
Passed, 91 

CHAPTER VII. 

War Period, Continued — Annual Meeting for Southern 
Churches in Botetourt and Franklin Counties — 
Eld. John Kline Killed, 127 

XV 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Division of State into Districts — First District of Vir- 
ginia — Church Organization, 149 

CHAPTER IX. 

Second District of Virginia — Church Organization,. .. .174 

CHAPTER X. 
Biographical, 216 

CHAPTER XI. 

Missionary, Educational, Sunday School, and Charita- 
ble Work of the Church — General Review — Con- 
clusion, 240 



XVI 



A History of the Brethren 
in Virginia 



CHAPTER I 

Organization of the Church in Germany — The Flight to 
America — The Sojourn in Pennsylvania. 

That the reader may more fully comprehend the 
following chapters relative to the German Baptist 
Brethren in Virginia, an account chiefly from the writ- 
ing of Alexander Mack, Jr., of the organization of 
the church in Germany and their subsequent flight 
from persecution in that country to America, is here 
given. In addition thereto, a brief notice is made of 
the half century of prosperity in the New World and 
their final dispersion caused by the hand of oppres- 
sion in Pennsylvania. 

From the writing of Eld. Mack, Jr., we learn that 
the organization of the Brethren Church was an out- 
growth of the great reformatory movement that swept 
over Germany during the seventeenth and eighteenth 
centuries. The Pietists, as tKey are known, embraced 
all shades of religious opinion. They eagerly sought 
to restore the waning piety of the Protestant churches. 
As long as they kept before them this one virtue they 
prospered greatly. This appears to have been especial- 
ly marked during the first few years of the eighteenth 
century. They held house-to>-house meetings besides 
their regular services. At the meetings the young con- 
verts would present themselves for further instruc- 
tion in spiritual life. Unfortunately for them, their 
frequent meetings and signal success awakened the 

19 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

jealousy of their enemies; persecution followed and 
many were driven from their homes. A number of 
them found refuge in Wittgenstein, which was 
governed by a friendly count. Although the country 
was rough and the soil barren, the leniency of this 
local government caused a great influx of people. 
Schwarzenau became a chief center of these refugees. 

It soon became apparent to some of these Pietists 
that a closer organization was necessary in order to 
administer discipline among themselves, but, coming 
from different localities, their views were as widely dif- 
ferent on almost all Christian duties except those of 
devotion and piety. It was a difficult task to collect a 
sufficient number of one mind, to establish a congre- 
gation. Some of them rejected any form of discipline, 
whatever: others returned to the churches from 
whence they came ; and still others drifted into out- 
right infidelity. There were some, however, who, not- 
withstanding this state of perturbation, were sincerely 
desirous of finding the footprints of primitive Chris- 
tianity and follow the example of the Savior. They 
were fully convinced of the necessity of faith and obe- 
dience in order to obtain salvation. 

In the year 1708, eight persons entered into a cove- 
nant with each other, by the help of God to endeavor 
to attain to the answer of a good conscience by render- 
ing obedience to all the commands of the Lord Jesus, 
and follow Him as their Good Shepherd and Leader 
through good and evil report. The names of these 
eight persons are George Greby and Lucas Fetter, of 
Hesse Cassel ; Alexander Mack and Anna Margaretta 
Mack, of Schriesheim ; Andrew Bonney and Johanna 
20 




o 
o 

> 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

Bonney, of Basel, Switzerland; John Kippin and 
Johanna Kippin, of Wiirtemberg. These five brethren 
and three sisters covenanted under the bond of the 
Cross of Jesus Christ, to labor together in the unity 
of the faith as a church. So solicitous were they of 
attaining unto the Truth that every evidence was 
prayerfully and carefully weighed. By consulting his- 
tory, they found that primitive Christians in the first 
and second centuries were uniformly planted into the 
likeness of His death by baptism in water by a three- 
fold immersion. But they were unwilling to rest their 
faith upon the authority of history alone. They 
searched the New Testament Scriptures and found 
abundant teaching for the same. One of their num- 
ber, Alexander Mack, had labored in word and doc- 
trine in different parts of Germany. He was chosen 
their minister, and, true to Scriptural precedent, their 
first act was to engage in Christian baptism. Early one 
morning, the day or month is not given, they resorted 
to the riverside to engage in this solemn ordinance. 
After a season of devotion, each of them was taken 
into the water and was baptized by the threefold im- 
mersion, as directed by Christ. On their return from 
the water and when they had changed their clothing, 
they were filled with much joy and the word of the 
Lord, " Be fruitful and multiply," came to them with 
great force. 

The young church, thus filled with the spirit of mis- 
sions, became very zealous in spreading the Gospel 
and during the next seven years was a period of great 
activity. These eight persons grew more and more 
in the faith of the Gospel and bore testimony of the 
22 



ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH 

Truth in the public assembly. The Lord bestowed 
upon them His special blessing in an abundant manner. 
Many believers were added to them and churches were 
established in different places. Especially at Schwar- 
zenau, a large congregation of believers assembled. 
The Lord also called a number of laborers into His 
vineyard. This large accession drew public attention 
to them and, while they received the blessings of God 
on the one hand, they encountered the enemies of 
Truth on the other. Therefore, for the sake of God's 
Word, they needed to bear persecution. Some were 
robbed of their property, which they appeared to sub- 
mit to joyfully. Others were cast into prison. A minis- 
ter, Christian Libe, was compelled to serve at the gal- 
leys on board one of the ships, being coupled with un- 
godly miscreants to work at the rudder. Yet none of 
these things moved them. The fact that poverty, im- 
prisonment, and tribulations seemed but to make them 
more joyful, caused others to look on in astonishment. 
Then, they were subjected to a sort of catechism in 
the form of subtle questions. These were submitted to 
them by some of the most learned men of the land, in 
the hope of confusing the Brethren and thereby draw- 
ing them from the faith, or bringing them into disre- 
pute. Forty questions were submitted to the church 
with a request to answer them. In this the Brethren 
were amazingly successful. Much wisdom and sagac- 
ity is seen in the answers given. So well pleased was 
the church at Schwarzenau, that it was decided to pub- 
lish the forty questions with the answers for the in- 
struction of the uninformed. 

This is believed to have been the first publication 

2Z 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

by the Brethren. Reprints have been made at different 
times in America both in the German and EngUsh 
languages. The first of these is in the German, pub- 
Hshed by Christopher Sower, Jr., in 1774. In 1854 
Henry Kurtz gave them in the Enghsh through the 
columns of the Gospel Visitor. Other reprints were 
also made. It being the first literary work of the 
Brethren it is interesting to the student of history, but 
the scope of this volume does not admit its insertion 
here. This brief reference to it must suffice. 

Persecution, augmented by internal troubles, put 
these pious people to the sorest tests. They were driv- 
en from place to place. Some went to Friesland. 
Others fled to Holland. In the summer of 1719, twen- 
ty families embarked on a Flemish vessel at Friesland, 
for America. They landed at Philadelphia in the 
autumn of the same year. Like Paul and Barnabas, 
some strong disputations arose among them on the way, 
but their fidelity to their religion was very marked as 
the following incident will show: While on their 
voyage, a furious storm arose. The sails were lowered 
and much of the merchandise was thrown overboard. 
The captain was about to give up all hope, but by the 
direction of Providence, he went to the humble apart- 
ment occupied by these brethren and sisters. In much 
astonishment, he beheld them engaged in singing and 
prayer as though the sea was calm. With renewed 
courage, he returned to his post with the declaration 
that Almighty God will never let the ship sink with 
such pious people on board. On landing at Philadel- 
phia they became widely separated and began their 
struggles amid the wilds of the new country. 
24 



THE SOJOURN IN PENNSYLVANIA. 

Little is known of their spiritual growth in the next 
few years, save that the smouldering embers of re- 
ligious fervor were kept alive. At this time a plan was 
agreed upon to visit the isolated members and extend 
to them a true Christian greeting. Accordingly, Peter 
Becker, John Gomery, and George Bulsar Gantz were 
appointed. Their visit was crowned with much suc- 
cess and is looked upon as the first endeavor in home 
missions in America. From this time on, love and 
union prevailed. The church was aroused to greater 
activity. Many were added to the church by baptism 
and the number was augmented by arrivals from 
•^Germany. 

During these years, the sorest of persecution was 
being experienced by the Brethren in the native land. 
The church at Schwarzenau was practically disbanded 
from this cause. From there the believers fled to 
West Friesland and thence went into Holland. Or^ 
July 7, 1729, Alexander Mack, his three sons, and 
about fifty-nine families among whom were 126 mem- 
bers took passage on the ship Allen, to join their 
brethren in America. After a voyage of seventy-one 
days, they landed at Philadelphia. This large increase 
in membership was the occasion of much joy. The 
presence of Alexander Mack and other leaders of the 
church greatly inspired the church to more endeavor 
for the Lord. New organizations were formed in 
Pennsylvania and in New Jersey. A season of great 
prosperity followed, lasting nearly a half century. 
However, these zealous Christians were to undergo a 
sore trial of their fidelity to the doctrines they had been 

25 



THE SOJOURN IN PENNSYLVANIA. 

so energetically and earnestly proclaiming to the 
American people. 

The desire to throw off the English yoke had been 
smouldering in the hearts of many of the American 
people and it only took the adoption of such measures 
as the Stamp Act and the enforcement of the Writs 
of Assistance to fan these smouldering embers into a 
flame. This speedily led to the war of the Revolution. 
In this the Brethren could not engage, however much 
they may have sympathized with the Americans, for 
reasons that follow : 

1. The Spirit of Christ and the Word of God for- 
bade carnal warfare. As early as August 20, 1739, 
Christopher Sower published an article on the incon- 
sistency of Christian nations engaging in war with each 
other. In this article he showed how inconsistent war- 
fare is with the teaching of Jesus, the Prince of 
Peace. 

2. They knew that there is a better way for nations 
to settle their differences, as well as individuals, than 
to resort to killing each other. 

Yet their refusal to take up arms seemed not to be 
understood. They were classed among the Tories, 
and with the passions of men's hearts aroused by the 
spirit of warfare, little opportunity was given them to 
explain. 

Again, when they were presented with an oath re- 
nouncing the king of England and swearing allegiance 
to the American government, the words of Jesus came 
to them, which says. Matt. 5 : 34, '' But I say unto you, 
Swear not at all ; neither by heaven ; for it is God's 
throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool; nei- 

27 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

ther by Jerusalem ; for it is the city of the Great King." 
Also, the words of the apostle, James 5 : 12, " But 
above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by 
heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any oath : but 
let your yea be yea ; and your nay, nay ; lest ye fall into 
condemnation." 

As a consequence of this, their property was taken 
from them and they suffered many indignities at the 
hand of the rougher individuals of the community. 
Eld. Christopher Sower, who was a wealthy printer, 
lost all of his property. Tons of Bibles ready for 
binding were destroyed, while he, much disfigured 
by maltreatment, was driven seven miles to General 
Washington's headquarters. However, the command- 
er-in-chief ordered his release. ]\Iany others suffered 
a like deprivation of their property, and, as in the time 
of the apostles, '' were scattered abroad " to seek pro- 
tection and cheap homes for their families. Further- 
more, wherever they went they preached the Gospel 
and churches were established. Some of them went 
north and west into the interior of Pennsylvania ; a 
few made their abode in IMaryland ; and others mi- 
grated farther south into A'irginia. It is the object 
of this volume to chronicle in the succeeding chapters 
the acts of these, mentioned last. 



28 



A MAP O 

Indicating where the Brethren are 
line, as recently agreed upon, betw< 
also includes the eastern half of No 
and a number of the counties in W( 
trict. 




Indicates a membership of more than 
2,000. 

Indicates a membership of more than 
1,000 in county. 



Indicates a membership of more than 
500 in county. 

Indicates a membership of various num- 
bers of less than 500. 




VIRGINIA. 

ited in the State and showing the 
the two districts. The first district 
Carolina and part of West Virginia ; 
Virginia belong to the second dis- 




District I^ine. 



CHAPTER II 

Migration to Virginia — The Valley of Virginia — Causes 
Leading to the Settlement in the Valley. 

When the Brethren came south from Pennsylvania 
and Maryland they nearly all settled in the Valley of 
Virginia. This is a beautiful and fertile expanse of 
country between the Blue Ridge and the first ranges 
of the Alleghany Mountains. It extends from the 
Potomac River at Harper's Ferry southwest to the 
Tennessee line. In measurement, it averages about 
twenty miles in width and is three hundred miles long. 
It is, virtually, an extension of the well-known Cum- 
berland Valley and is equal to it in productiveness and 
beauty of landscape. There were two sections in 
which these colonists made their homes. The first 
territory is now embraced by the counties of Shenan- 
doah, Rockingham, and Augusta in the north, and 
Franklin, Botetourt, Floyd, and Roanoke counties in- 
clude that portion farther south. This left an inter- 
vening territory of about fifty miles in width between 
them. 

They left but few records and what is known of 
their lives must be gathered from diversity of sources. 
Yet, we are glad that enough can be secured in this 
way to form a correct conclusion of the noble lives 
they lived and the powerful influence for good in the 
respective communities in which they made their 
homes. 

29 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

It cannot be claimed that these Brethren were the first 
to settle in the Valley of Virginia as some have pre- 
sumed, but they were among the earliest immigrants 
to the different parts in which they located. Kerchi- 
yal, in his " History of the Valley," page 50, says : " A 
large majority of our first immigrants were from 
Pennsylvania, composed of native Germans or German 
extraction. There were, however, a number direct 
from Germany, several from Maryland and New 
Jersey, and a few from New York. These immigrants 
brought with them the religion, habits and customs of 
their ancestors. They were composed generally of three 
religious sects ; viz., Lutheran^ Mennonites and Calvin- 
ists with a few Tunkers. They generally settled in 
neighborhoods pretty much together." The " Tunkers " 
as the author pleases to call the Brethren, were " a few." 
This coincides with facts that shall be presented more 
fully in a succeeding chapter. At this place, it is suf- 
ficient to say that it is generally accepted that John 
Garber from York County, Pennsylvania, was the 
first member of the Brethren to locate in the northern 
part, or the Shenandoah Valley, if not the first in Vir- 
ginia. He evidently came about the year 1775 or 1776. 
On his first visit, he was not accompanied by his fam- 
ily. The purpose for which he came is not made clear. 
His object may have been to " spy out the land " in 
view of future permanent settlement. For it is known 
that he was joined by his family later on as the rec- 
ords will show. Yet, it is equally probable that his 
coming was prompted by a missionary spirit. He is 
known to have been a minister of ability, and, not un- 
like the Hackleton cobbler, William Carey, he made 

30 



MIGRATION TO VIRGINIA 

and cobbled shoes for a support, that he could preach 
a free Gospel to the people. 

His brethren did not join him until after the op- 
pression in Pennsylvania. This, in itself, is evidence 
that it was not financial gain that caused him to 
move tc Virginia when he did. 

Eld. Jacob Miller is the first minister known to have 
lived in the more southerly settlement of the Breth- 
ren. His home was in Franklin County and it is be- 
lieved that he located there near the time that John 
Garber settled in Shenandoah County. Where he 
came from is not definitely known, but it is most likely 
that he migrated from Pennsylvania or Maryland, as 
he was a German. A few years later, he was joined 
by an Englishman named William Smith, who re- 
quested baptism and was subsequently elected to the 
ministry. His home was in Floyd County but these 
brethren traveled and labored together much in the 
ministry. The one would preach in German and the 
other in English. 

In the introductory chapter, it has been shown how 
the Brethren in Pennsylvania refused to engage in 
warfare or take an oath. As a consequence of this, 
their property was confiscated. Therefore, destitute 
of earthly possessions they entered this new country. 

Nothing but stout hearts and a firm reliance on the 
promises of God could have carried them through such 
experiences. Yet God never forsakes his people in 
their faithfulness to him. This is abundantly shown 
in this instance, for rich was the inheritance they were 
to possess. In their lives, we see fulfilled the words 
of Christ, Mark 10: 29, 30, "There is no man that 

31 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or 
mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, 
and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold 
now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and 
mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions ; 
and in the world to come eternal life." A study of the 
Church in Virginia will convince any one of the liter- 
al fulfillment of this promise of Christ. 

As a pledge to the words of the dear Master and 
with a spirit of paternal affection, the great Valley of 
Virginia lay as with outstretched arm to receive the 
homeless refugees and give to them cheap homes with 
peace and plenty. Here land could still be gotten by 
grant from the government, or bought at a nominal 
cost. In the records of Shenandoah County reference 
is made to a grant of four hundred acres of land on 
Holman's Creek to Eld. Martin Garber. Others also 
procured homes at a very small outlay of money. The 
provisional government gave them the necessary pro- 
tection and the Red Man of the forest was very kindly 
disposed toward these settlers from the north. 

A slight digression at this place is necessary to 
notice the unusual conditions that made it possible 
for the Brethren to procure such cheap homes with 
protection in the Valley of Virginia, while the coun- 
try east of the Blue Ridge had been settled for more 
than a century and a half and protection not yet fully 
assured in that part of the colony. Notable among 
these was the intolerant spirit manifest throughout 
the older portions of the colony toward all Dissenters 
from the English Church. This, together with the un- 
favorable relationship between the English colonists 
32 



THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA 

and the Indians, was the main cause that brought 
about the conditions referred to above. 

It should be remembered that the estabUshment of 
the EngHsh colony was in some degree an effort to 
spread Christianity among the heathen. In every char- 
ter granted the Virginia Company, religious consider- 
ation took a prominent place. One of the first acts 
on landing at Jamestown was to construct a place of 
worship. This was done by nailing an old sail to three 
or four trees, while the sides of the building were 
made of rails and the seats of unhewn trees. In this 
primitive church, Common Prayer was read twice a 
day and divine services were conducted each Sunday. 
The Church in Virginia was only a part of the Church 
of England, which, at this time, demanded strict con- 
formity. In the instructions for the colonists in Vir- 
ginia under date of November 20, 1606, it is 
decreed that any one who seeks to withdraw others 
from the established religion or from their allegiance 
shall be imprisoned until he reforms. If he be obsti- 
nate, he shall be sent back to England for condign pun- 
ishment. 

In the year 1610, prior to the departure of Lord 
Delaware, the new Governor for Jamestown, the Rev. 
Wilham Crashaw preached a sermon before his lord- 
ship. Addressing the Governor, he said: "Remem- 
ber thou art a General of Englishmen, nay a General 
of Christian men, therefore, looke to Religion. You go 
to commend it to the heathen: then practise it your- 
selves ; make the name of Christ honorable, not hate- 
ful to them. Suffer no Papists; let them not nestle 
there; nay, let the name of the Pope, or Poperie, be 

33 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

never heard in Virginia. Take heed of Atheists, the 
Divel's champions ; and if thou discover any, make 
them examplaire. And (if I may be so bold as to 
advise) make Atheisme, and other blasphemie capitall, 
and let that be the first law in Virginia. Suffer no 
Brownists, nor factious Separatists ; let them keep 




Church in King William County, built by English Government 

in 1734. 



their conventicles elsewhere ; let them go and convert 
some other heathen, and let us see if they can consti- 
tute such churches really, the ideas whereof they have 
fancied in their branes ; and when they have given us 
such examples we may then have some cause to fol- 
low them. Till then, we will take our patterne from 
their betters." 

In time, the Governor of Virginia became the head 
of the church in America and the colonists thought 
34 



CAUSES LEADING TO SETTLEMENT 

that they were doing God's service and fighting against 
the devil by suppressing all forms of Dissenters. One 
of the laws established by Gov. Dale in 1611, required 
every person, who should settle in the colony, to appear 
before some minister of the Established Church and 
explain his religious views. If he refused, he was to 
be publicly whipped. Upon a second refusal, he was 
to be twice whipped, and if he refused a third time, 
he was to be whipped every day until he should con- 
fess. Later on, fines were imposed for absence from 
divine service. The whipping-post and branding irons 
were measures adopted to enforce conformity. Ac- 
cording to the new provisions of the law in 1662 to 
1663, Quakers and other Dissenters were forbidden 
from assembling, and if more than five over sixteen 
years of age met together, each was fined two hun- 
dred pounds of tobacco for the first, and five hundred 
pounds for the second ofifense, and those able to pay 
were to be held responsible for the fines of those not 
having the necessary amount. 

Regardless of these stringent measures, the number 
of Dissenters increased from year to year and a long 
and bitter struggle for religious liberty was being en- 
acted throughout the colony. On the frontier, more 
liberty was granted at a comparatively early date. 
This was notably true in the year 1700, when five 
hundred Huguenot fugitives were permitted to take 
up their abode in the colony. Gov. Nicholson gives 
as a reason in his letter to the Lord of Trade, that it 
is believed that their presence will strengthen the 
frontier. Like privileges were given other settlers. 

In this conflict for religious liberty, such men as 

35 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, .and Patrick Henry 
took a prominent part in later years and did much to 
bring about the desired end. Finally, in 1785, the 
Statute of Religious Freedom was adopted by the 
General Assembly. By this act, Virginia was the first 
government in the world to establish and maintain an 
absolute divorce of church and state. 

During the time of the enactment of these checkered 
scenes in east Virginia, just across the Blue Ridge 
^Mountains lay the beautiful and fertile Valley of 
A'irginia, practically unknown to the English colonists. 
Here, for centuries, the Red J\Ian alone pitched his 
wigwam and wnth his squaw and papoose enjoyed the 
refreshing mountain breezes after the day's chase was 
over. With a feeling akin to bitter hatred, he watched 
the encroachment of '' Long Knife," as the English 
were known, and from his position of vantage, he 
would, at times, swoop down upon his foe and many a 
loved one was unmercifully slain or carried away into 
captivity. 

That this valley should not have been settled for so 
long after the occupation of the country east o:f the 
Blue Ridge by the English, has been a matter of con- 
jecture by many. Beyond question, it was known to 
them, but it may have been considered hazardous to 
have ventured so far inland. Yet this alone could not 
be considered a sufficient reason to keep back these 
hardy pioneers. Therefore, we must conclude that 
there must have been an agreement between the En- 
glish settlers and the Indians, that settlement should 
be made as far as the mountains and no farther. 
The data and full text cannot be given, but that such 
36 



CAUSES LEADING TO SETTLE^IENT 

treaty did exist is evidenced by a letter written by 
Thomas Chaukley, a Quaker, to his brethren at Win- 
chester, Virginia, under date of May 21, 1838 (Ker- 
chival's "History of the Valley," page 39), in which 
reference is made to such an agreement being in force 
at that time. After citing a number of reasons why 
his brethren should respect the rights of the Indians, 
he continues as follows : " Consider you are in the 
province of Virginia, holding what right you have un- 
der that government ; and the Virginians have made 
an agreement with the natives to go as far as the 
mountains and no farther ; and you are over and be- 
yond the mountains, therefore out of that agreement; 
by which you lie open to the insults and incursions of 
the Southern Indians, who have destroyed many of the 
inhabitants of Carolina and Virginia, and even now 
destroy more on the like occasion. The English going 
beyond the bounds of their agreement, eleven of them 
were killed by the Indians while we were traveling in 
Virginia." The above quotation makes it very clear 
why such English settlement was not made in the Val- 
ley of A^irginia and, with equal conciseness, gives an 
illustration of how jealously the Indian guarded his 
rights. It, likewise, must be apparent to the reader 
how readily permission could be gotten by the Ger- 
mans to make settlement there. For, as Gov. Spots- 
wood previously said, " they became a good barrier 
for all that part of the country." On the other hand, 
the Indian welcomed his German neighbor from the 
north. The kind treatment the dusky man of the for- 
est received at the hands of William Penn had reached 
his ears. Therefore, the settler wending his way from 

Z7 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

thence was not looked upon with suspicion as " Long 
Knife " from the east. They dwelt in peace for years 
and it is a conceded fact that never did any of our 
Brethren suffer an indignity in any form from the na- 
tives. 

Thus we have briefly traced some of the tangible in- 
fluences that brought about the conditions existing in 
the Valley of Virginia when it was entered by our 
forefathers. Furthermore, it has been seen how their 
footsteps have been directed thence and that homes 
and churches have been established in this fair South- 
land. Above all this was the great heart and mind of 
God caring for His people and directing their lives to 
a greater usefulness in glorifying His name. 



38 



CHAPTER in. 

Additional Settlements — Character of Settlers. 

In the preceding chapter a brief mention is made of 
the first settlements in Virginia. It has been seen that 
these colonies were widely separated and doubtless, 
for a time, they had but little or no communication 
with each other. Which has the just claim of priority 
cannot at this time be definitely settled. While it is 
admitted that the date of Elder Jacob Miller's early 
ministry in Franklin County is not so definitely fixed 
as that of Brother John Garber's in Shenandoah Coun- 
ty, yet, allowing reasonable time for his successors until 
definite dates are known, his early ministry might be 
easily placed as early as the middle of the last half of 
the eighteenth century. In addition to this, the fact 
that his home was among the foothills of the eastern 
slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains is significant. This 
not only makes it probable that a nucleus of members 
might have located here at a very early date, but that 
they may have migrated here through the older settle- 
ments of Virginia instead of passing south through the 
Valley as usually is inferred. 

In another chapter it had also been seen that Dis- 
senters from the Established Church were permitted 
to settle on the frontier as early as 1700. In the lapse 
of time, this spirit became more tolerant. Therefore, 
the Brethren could more readily have gotten permis- 

39 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN ' 

sion at that later date. Again, as noticed, their homes 
were in the territory east of the Blue Ridge. If they 
had journeyed south through the Valley of Virginia, 
it would be difficult to surmise a motive for their cross- 
ing the mountains and settling where land was doubt- 
less more expensive and the inhabitants less hospitable 
to them. It was here too that Eld. Miher was joined 




Old-time Flax Wheel. 



by William Smith, an Englishman, who doubtless 
came from the older settlements. These facts present 
a field worthy of investigation. For the present, any 
conclusive statement would only be conjecture. 

Eld. Jonas Graybill in his research found that quite 
a colony of Brethren located at New Amsterdam, now 
Daleville, Botetourt County, in 1780. These came from 

40 



ADDITIONAL SETTLEMENTS 

Pennsylvania and were driven thither by the same 
oppression in that State referred to elsewhere, but Eld. 
Graybill more fully tells of these in another chapter 
of this volume. 

Because of the wide influence John Garber and his 
descendants have wielded in the affairs of the church 
in Virginia, a more extended account of his life should 
be made ; but this is deferred in order to mention other 
settlers who came a few years later, and their inspir- 
ing influence on the young church. Among, the first 
of these to corpe, were his two sons, Samuel and Mar- 
tin, who remained in Maryland until after their mar- 
riage to the daughters of Jacob Stoner of Frederick 
County, of that State. In the fall of the year 1783, 
they with their families and those of four others set- 
tled in Shenandoah County, near the home of their 
father. Two years later, seven more families came, 
and by the end of the year 1787, thirty-two in all had 
moved from Pennsylvania and Maryland into the 
Shenandoah Valley. While some of these settled in 
Shenandoah County, the greater number of them lo- 
cated in Rockingham County. On this point, the au- 
thor is favored with a letter from Eld. John M. Wine 
of David City, Nebraska. Bro. Wine has long since 
passed the meridian of life, but is highly favored with 
a retentive memory. He says that he distinctly re- 
members hearing his grandmother repeatedly relate 
their experiences in moving to Virginia. The letter is 
given below, omitting the part referring to his recol- 
lection. He says: " They (meaning his grandparents) 
with five other families, left Pennsylvania and Mary- 
land in the fall of 1783. Eld. Martin Garber and his 

41 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

brother, Samuel (sons of John), Jonathan Miller, and 
a Bro. Myers settled near Flat Rock. In 1785, seven 
more families came and settled in Rockingham County 
and fro'm that time until 1787, thirty-two families came 
from Pennsylvania and Maryland. The most of them 
settled in Rockingham, between Harrisonburg and 




Preparing the Warp. 



Staunton. / nong them were the Florys, Myers, Mil- 
lers, Bowmans, Neffs, Clicks, and others." Eld. Wine 
further adds that the Brethren submitted to the con- 
fiscation of their property rather than violate the teach- 
ing of Christ against going to war and against taking 
the oath, which was demanded of them. 
42 



CHARACTER OF SETTLERS 

Though they were destitute of earthly possessions, 
they were rich toward God and with a strong desire 
to conquer for Him, they pressed onward. However, 
not all of these settlers remained in the localities that 
they first selected. Learning of brighter prospects 
further on, or possibly influenced with the spirit of un- 
rest that comes to the emigrant, some of them went as 
far south as Tennessee and others west to the Ohio. 

Yet, the greater part of them made permanent homes 
in Virginia and they became quite an acquisition to 
the young church. Among the ministers who came at 
this time, were Benjamin Bowman Sr., Peter Bowman, 
Martin Garber, John Click and others. From this 
time on, the Brethren became more active in the Mas- 
ter's cause. Meetings were held in the different set- 
tlements. But they were not able to erect meeting- 
houses. To meet this requirement, their dwellings 
were so constructed as to best accommodate the month- 
ly, bi-monthly or ter-monthly service as it came to them 
in turn. The houses were usually one and a half story 
high with sides of logs, the roof of clapboards, and 
the floor of puncheon. The interior was divided into 
apartments for the accommodation of the family. 
This Avas not infrequently done by use of curtains 
made from homespun material. In other buildings, 
however, the partitions were made of boards sawed 
by the old whip or hand saw. In such case, the whole 
of it was hanging on a pivot and could be hoisted, or 
the lower half could be so manipulated as to throw 
the entire lower story into one room on meeting-day. 
In addition to furnishing a place for the meeting, it 
was the usual custom for the proprietor of the house 

43 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 




The Old Loom. 



to provide food for as many in the assembly as desired 
it, and feed their horses as well. At the close of the 
meeting, when the appointments were announced, an 
invitation was given to all to remain for the meal which 
was then in preparation. 

As time went on and the congregation increased, 
each member in the community in which the meeting 
was held was asked to contribute some provision to- 
ward feeding the people. This custom prevailed after 
churchhouses were erected and especially on the occa- 
sion of love-feasts when the services would usually 
continue from Saturday morning until Sunday even- 
44 



CHARACTER OF SETTLERS . 

ing. At night, the assembly, regardless of church af- 
filiation, was entertained at the nearest homes of the 
Brethren. In this way the broad hospitality was incul- 
cated, for which the Virginia church is noted to this 
day. 




The "Way They Did the Cooking. 



Their acts of benevolence were no less marked than 
their hospitality. The unfortunate in life received as- 
sistance, however humble their station. Neither were 
their acts confined to their own number. Quite the 
opposite is shown to have been true. The author is in 

45 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 



possession of some of these old subscription papers, 
one of which is here mentioned. It was for the rehef 
of one Isaac Halterman. In the preamble, it recites 
the affliction of the beneficiary as having been that of 
a long sickness. While yet not recovered from his 
'emaciated condition, an impatient creditor, through 
an action in court, was about to sell his property. The 
amount subscribed was intended to make payment of 

this claim, that he 
should not lose his 
home. It is evident 
that Isaac Halter- 
man was not a mem- 
ber of the Brethren 
Church. This act 
was not great in 
worldly achieve- 

ment, but it is a 
beautiful tribue to 
nobility of Christian 
character. 
The widow and orphan found in the Virginia church 
a true guardian and protector. Not only the most des- 
titute received aid, but whenever the interest of the 
friendless ones was at stake, the church as a whole 
or as individuals did what it could for their welfare. 
Not through the helpfulness of an orphans' home, as 
in more recent years, but in their own good way they 
met the requirements of the times in which they lived. 
As an instance of such mediation, the following con- 
tract, translated from the German by Dr. John S. 
Flory of Bridgewater College, is here given. The 
46 




Primitive Fat Lamp of 
Our Forefathers. 



CHARACTER OF SETTLERS 

agreement, somewhat abridged in minor detail, reads 
as follows : 

Agreement Between the Baptist Church 

and 
Anna Sherfig and Children. 

A contract : the agreement made, concluded and 
made binding in the following manner and form be- 
tween the Baptist Church in Shenandoah and Rock- 
ingham counties, and especially with the oldest serv- 
ants in the aforesaid church, namely, Ben j amine Bow- 
man, and Martin Gerber, and John Click, and John 
Kagey, and Joseph Bowman, and Jacob Gerber, and as 
said before with the entire church already mentioned, 
of the one part, and with Anna Sherfig, widow, of 
Shenandoah County, State of Virginia, and with her 
oldest children who are of age, namely, John Sherfig, 
and Josua Sherfig, and Magdalene Sherfig, and 
Salome Sherfig, of the other part, 

Witnesseth: Whereas the said Anna Sherfig has 
been complained of and has promised that she will 
move from the place and that the children will be put 
out as soon as her deceased husband, namely Abraham 
Sherfig, has directed in his last will and testament, so 
it has seemed well to be charitable and merciful with 
her, and it has thus been mutually agreed that she shall 
be allowed to give a proof (of her good intentions) 
in the following manner and form : that with the con- 
sent of the children who are of age, she may remain 
dwelling upon the place for a period of time, and 
farm the place according to the agreement, and bring 
up her children in the order and fear of God ; she may 
thus dwell a year or two longer than her deceased 
husband's will says, if she can come ofif in peace and 
according to the agreement with her children. If, 
however, one or several of the children are not willing 
to follow, then shall the church have full right to put 

47 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

her off as her husband's will provides ; but if the family 
comes into disorder, then the said church shall have 
the right to break up the household, according to their 
judgment; or if the children who are of age shall 
complain because of their inheritence or the magis- 
trate should also be opposed, then the executive, with 
the advice of the church would have to break up the 
household and do as the will says ; or if it should also 
fall too heavily upon her, the mother of the family, then 
she shall have the right with the advice of the church 
to break up her home if she wishes to do so ; and while 
some of the deceased and said Sherfig's children are 
small and cannot earn their food and clothing and 
the said mother is unwilling to bring them up and 
provide them with food and clothes, and neither the 
magistrate nor the said church will assume the care or 
guardianship of the little children, then the church 
must see to it that it is just to permit her something 
for the place besides her third. If the third of the 
grain which they cut at the last harvest was not 
enough to maintain the children and bring them up, 
then the church has decided, in the hope that the mag- 
istrate would not oppose, to leave her use all the 
grain which she had gathered at the last harvest on the 
aforesaid place to maintain her family in the manner as 
said, and all the grain which is sowed upon the said 
place she shall have for her use as already mentioned. 
. . . . It is further agreed that neither the 
mother nor the children shall sell wood from the above 
mentioned place without the consent of the church, 
and they shall keep the place well fenced and especially 
in good order. If they wish to clear land, they shall 
do it with the consent of the church. The said Josua 
shall keep no more stock on the place than he neces- 
sarily requires on the place to secure all the articles 
of this instrument. All the instruments of both par- 
ties are written, and all are signed with their own 
hands ; and the three oldest of the children named 

48 



CHARACTER OF SETTLERS 

within together with their mother named within seal 
it with their own seal, this day, the twenty-seventh 
of N^ovember, in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and twelve. 
In the presence of 

Samuel Bowman Yohones Kagey 

David Bowman Joseph Bowman 

George Wever John Scherfig (seal) 

William Good Joshua Scherfig (seal) 

William Good Salomy Scherfig 

Michael Wine or Miller (seal ) 

Benj amine Bowman Magdalena Scherfig 

Martin Gerber (seal) 
John Click 

It is most likely that Abraham Scherfig was twice 
married and that Anna was his second wife. From 
each of these unions, children were born. At least, 
the older ones were of age, while the others were quite 
young, and became impatient to come in possession of 
their inheritance. Complaint had been brought against 
the' widow, and the church here performed the very 
difficult duty of mediator, guardian, and trustee for all 
parties concerned. 

As individuals, they were equally given to good 
works. The spirit of commercialism had not taken 
hold of their lives to such extent as to destroy the finer 
impulses of the human heart. So impressive were 
the acts of kindness and deeds of love, in administer- 
ing to the needs of the destitute, that mention is made 
in the strongest terms by writers not identified with the 
church. A notable instance is a poem dedicated to the 
memory of " Kagey, the Good Man," by the eminent 
educator and poet, Joseph Salyards of New Market, 

49 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

Virginia. Here the writer pays a most beautiful trib- 
ute to the memory of one of these benefactors of man- 
kind. A short extract is here given from this some- 
what lengthy poem. The third and fourth stanzas 
read as follows : 

" In yonder lane the widow lorn, — 

Naomi of our heartless years, — 
Leans o'er her orphans every morn, 

And yields to unavailing tears; 
For, he whose voice had soothed so long 

Sad memory's unobtrusive sigh. 
Whose hand secured from wreckless wrong, 

Whose bosom bled at sorrow's cry. 
He too has left our wintry shore, — 

He hears the sufferer plead no more. 

"Ah! never down the rocky vale 

She hastes to meet her orphans more; 
Shares the warm kiss and lifts the pail, 

White-wreathed with sweetness from his store. 
No more the fatherless from play, 

Shall run with lisping joy to tell, — ^ 

'The good man brings his gifts today; 
Come see his white locks in the dell.' 
Deep death hath wrapped in darkness now, 
The honors of that reverend brow." 

Doubtless these lines were suggested to the writer 
by the many beneficent acts received in the home of 
his widowed mother from the bounty of Eld. John 
Kagey. For it is known that " Kagey, the Good Man," 
or Yohones Kagey, was an active minister in the Breth- 
ren Church during the first half of the nineteenth cen- 
tury. His name appears on the contract given on a 
preceding page. 

In a few years the ministry had so increased that 
50 











IkVffiWiliil 






-d 



CQ 



fe 



M 



o 

U 

o 

CI 

a 

0) 

U2 



o 

o 

o 

'd 
O 

<D 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

various points usually marked by churchhouses at the 
present day, became the centers of church activity. 
Chief among these are Flat Rock and Maurertown in 
Shenandoah County, Linville. Creek, Greenmount, Gar- 
bers, and Beaver Creek in Rockingham County, and 
Middle River in Augusta County. Among these min- 
isters were ordained elders, and, in order to administer 
discipline, a division line running east and west through 
Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, had been agreed 
upon in 1788. The members living north of this were 
designated Lower Rockingham and Shenandoah 
Brethren. Those south were known as Upper Rock- 
ingham and Augusta Brethren. This was the only di- 
vision of territory for more than a quarter of a cen- 
tury, and seemed to meet every requirement of church 
regulation. 

In Franklin, Floyd and Botetourt counties, like 
nuclei of membership were formed, which afterward 
developed into churches. Here, too, were an active 
ministry laboring for the Lord's cause. In a preced- 
ing chapter, a brief notice is made of the labors of 
Elders Jacob INIiller and William Smith, and in the 
succeeding pages their work is so minutely delineated 
that it is unnecessary to give an" extended account 
here. However, their methods were unique and 
therefore of interest. With staff in hand, they would 
walk ten or twelve miles to the place of preaching. 
Previous to the regular service, they would read a 
Scripture and give explanation. At the same time, 
permission was given to any one present to ask ques- 
tions or give words of exhortion. Eld. jMiller would 
speak in the German and Eld. Smith in the English 

52 



ADDITIONAL SETTLEMENTS 

language. Through their ministration, largely, the 
foundation for a number of the large and flourishing 
organizations in the First District of Virginia was laid. 
When other ministers were chosen, some were En- 
glish while others were German. As a consequence 
of this, there were some German congregations, and 
other assemblies that could only speak the English. 
For a time these dififerent churches were designated 
as the " German Arm " and the " English Arm " of 
the church. These differed somewhat in customs but 
not in Bible doctrine. In time, however, by the ex- 
ercise of Christian charity and intermingling, they all 
learned the English tongue and were no more knov/n 
by the different nationalities. 

Among other ministers who labored in this part of 
the State at an early date, were John Bowman, Abra- 
ham Naff, Isaac Naff, Daniel Barnhart, John EUer, 
Christian Bowman, Austin Hylton, Samuel Crumpack- 
er, David Rife, Henry Snider, and a number of others. 
The churches in the First District of Virginia stand 
as an evidence of their well-spent lives. Other labor- 
ers followed them of whom we shall learn more fully 
in succeeding chapters. 

In the cemetery near the Flat Rock church stands 
a very modest stone with 

17 J. H. G. 87 
engraved upon it. Near by it is one of a somewhat 
more modern design, upon which is the following in- 
scription : 

Barbara Garber 

ist G. W. 15 D. B. 1808 

Old 75 y. 5 m. 

53 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 




Grave of John Garber. 




Grave of Barbara Garber. 



54 



CHARACTER OF SETTLERS 

These humble slabs mark the graves of John Gar- 
ber, the first minister of the Brethren Church that is 
known to have preached in the Shenandoah Valley, 
and that of his beloved wife, Barbara. Yet a far 
more enduring monument has been erected by their 
godly lives in establishing the church in northern Vir- 
ginia and in giving it a most noble family of seven 
sons and three daughters. Of this number, six of the 
sons were preachers and the other a deacon. The 
daughters were also identified with the church, two 
of whom became the wives of distinguished ministers. 
Four of the sons permanently settled in Virginia. Two 
of them, Samuel and IMartin, remained near their fa- 
ther's homiC. Daniel located near Harrisonburg, and 
Abraham near Middle River in Augusta County. One 
of the sons went to Tennessee and two to Ohio. 
Wherever they went, they were quickly recognized 
as leaders in the church. So closely has this family 
been connected with the affairs of the church in north- 
ern Virginia, that a well-written history of their de- 
scendents would give an account of the growth and 
development of the church in this section. 

As seen on the tombstone, John Garber's death was 
in 1787. The correctness of this is substantiated by 
his will, which was written on September 4, 1787, and 
admitted to probate at Woodstock, December 27, 1787. 

This indenture is of special interest, but of too great 
length to reproduce here. A few extracts must suf- 
fice. In the preamble, he states that at that time he 
was sick and in a low state of health bodily, but of a 
perfect mind and memory. He first provided for his 
" well beloved wife, Barbara, and five younger children 

55 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

to remain on the place until February 1, 1790." At 
that time there was to be a general division of the 
personal property, two-thirds of which was to be 
divided among his ten children ; viz., John, Samuel, 
Martin, Anna, Abraham, Jacob, Daniel, Catherine, 
Joseph, and Magdalene, and one-third was to be given 
to his wife. This division was to be made, however, 
after giving his widow " her bed, her cupboard, a cow, 
a good spinning wheel, and the choice of two sheep 
so that she may have not just cause or reason to com- 
plain." 

He was little past the meridian of life when he died. 
His widow survived him twenty-one years and was 
seventy-five years old at that time. This would have 
made her fifty-four years old at the death of her hus- 
band, which most likely corresponds closely to his age 
at his demise. However correct this statement, which is 
but reasonable, they left a posterity that have served 
the church faithfully and have done much to shape 
her destiny in this as well as other States. 



56 



CHAPTER IV. 

Church Organization — Origin of District Meeting — Mis- 
sionary Activity. 

Until now, the simple organization mentioned in the 
preceding chapter existed among the churches. As 
already stated, they were known as the Upper Rock- 
ingham and Augusta Brethren and the Lower Rocking- 
ham and Shenandoah Brethren. Likewise, the Frank- 
lin, Floyd, Botetourt, Roanoke, etc.. Brethren indicated 
the Brethren living in these respective counties. At 
this time, the membership had increased and a wider 
field was open for the ministry. Isolated members 
in various sections would call for meetings and in- 
dividuals would seek to know the truth. In this way, 
the ministry in the different counties would go and 
hold meetings, and finally churches were established. 
The Franklin Brethren went into the surrounding ter- 
ritory as far as North Carolina. The Floyd and 
Botetourt Brethren went into adjacent counties and as 
far south as Tennessee. The Augusta, Rockingham, 
and Shenandoah Brethren went east, west, north and 
south. However, their uncompromising attitude 
again.st slavery stood as a barrier east of the Blue 
Ridge. To the west, they crossed the Ohio and 
preached the Gospel in the settlements beyond. They 
usually traveled on horseback, but for shorter dis- 
tances they went on foot. In every section, a most 

57 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 



commendable zeal was manifest. The ministers not 
only served the church without charge, but usually 
traveled the long distances at their own expense. 

Yet there v/ere some exceptions to this. Although 
there was no compensation asked of the laity of the 
church, a beautiful spirit of mutual helpfulness mani- 
fested itself among them, which may be considered 
one of the first missionary movements among the 

general membership of the 
church. "When a minister 
was from home preaching, 
not infrequently the mem- 
bers would gather at his 
home and assist his family 
with his farm work. On his 
return, a pleasant surprise 
awaited him. Sometimes 
the crop was planted, the 
harvesting done, or the grain 
safely stored away for the 
support of his loved ones, 
while he was absent. These 
pretty customs prevailed to 
some extent to within the recollection of the author, 
and only gave way to a more systematic method of 
missionary endeavor. 

About this time, meetinghouses were first erected. 
As previously stated, the young church was not able 
to construct houses of worship. Their dwellings, their 
barns and the canopy of the heavens were dedicated 
to the service of the Lord. To accommodate the in- 
increasing congregations, it was now necessary to have 

58 




Elder Austin Hylton. See 
Biography, Chapter X. 



CHURCH ORGANIZATION 

more commodious buildings. Especially was this true 
for love-feagt occasions. 

The Middle River Church, Augusta County, was 
built in 1824. 

Linville Creek, Rockingham County, 1828. 

Cooks Creek, Rockingham County, 1822 (?) 

Flat Rock, Shenandoah County, 1844. 

Millcreek, Rockingham County, ( ?.) 

Germantown, Franklin County, 1848. 

Pleasant Valley, Augusta County, 1854. 

Barren Ridge, Augusta County, 1856. 

Brick Church, Floyd County, 1857. 

Lemontown, Botetourt County, (?) 

Brush, Rockingham County, 1843. 

Pine Grove, Rockingham County, 1850. 

Greenmount, Rockingham County, 1859. 

Beaver Creek, Rockingham County, (?) 

Valley, Botetourt County, (?) 

Valley Pike, Shenandoah County, (?) 

This also was a period for closer church organiza- 
tion. For nearly a half century, the Brethren in Vir- 
ginia had maintained the unity of the church suc- 
cessfully with little more division than geographical 
location. With an increased membership, and more 
widely distributed, this became far more difficult. 
Therefore, a closer organization was deemed neces- 
sary in order to maintain love and union. The wis- 
dom of this can be plainly seen. The method of 
procedure at new places was usually as follows : 
Points for preaching were opened as opportunity af- 
forded and as soon as the membership was sufficiently 

59 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

strong near the given place for a working body, they 
were organized into a local church or organization. 
In this way, discipline could be administered and the 
new body became a base for the extension of Gospel 
teaching. The definite lines between these organiza- 
tions were agreed upon at a later date. The older 




Old Garber Church, Two Miles Southwest of Harrisonburg. 

This was the First Meetinghouse Built by the 

Brethren in Virginia. 



settlements were subdivided for the same reason. For 
a more detailed account of these organizations, how- 
ever, the reader is referred to the respective chapters 
on local organization. The dates of a few of these sub- 
divisions are given here. 

In 1838, in Shenandoah County, the Woodstock 
congregation was formed to the north of Flat Rock 
with twelve members. A matter of unusual note is 

60 



CHURCH ORGANIZATION 

the fact that one-half of this membership were River 
Brethren. They simply formed themselves into this 
compact for their mutual helpfulness and the advance- 
ment of Christ's kingdom. 

In 1840, the territory, in part, composing- the 
churches of Greenmount and Linville Creek was or- 
ganized into Upper Linville and Lower Linville Creek. 
This left Flat Rock with much the same boundary as 
it has today. Four years later, L'pper Linville and 
Lower Linville were divided. The former was called 
Greenmxount and the latter Linville Creek. In 18-( ?), 
the territory in Rockingham County south of Harri- 
sonburg, known as L'pper Rockingham, was divided 
into three divisions. The central portion was known 
as Cooks Creek; the western portion, Beaver Creek; 
and the eastern portion, ^lillcreek. In Augusta Coun- 
ty, like divisions were efifected. The Brethren at 
Middle River had made preparation for such division 
by building houses of worship to the north in 1854, 
and to the south in 1856. Some years later, these 
points were made the centers of separate organiza- 
tions. The former is known as Pleasant Valley and 
the latter as Barren Ridge. 

In the southern district there was not much dis- 
position to multiply the local organizations at this time. 
However, in 1845, the Floyd County church was di- 
vided into the East Arm, m_eaning that east of Floyd 
Courthouse, and the West Arm, meaning that portion 
west of the courthouse. In the other sections, they 
continued to be known by the name of the county in 
which they were organized. Yet they seemed no less 
active in grappling with the problems they had to 

61 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 




meet, and some of the leading Brethren in Virginia 
labored in that part of the State. 

The church in Virginia has always been loyal to the 
general Brotherhood. This is evidenced by maintain- 
ing her doctrines under the most adverse and trying 
conditions. The attitude on slavery gave a most 
difficult and perplexing problem for these churches to 

solve, and to uphold the princi- 
ples of peace under the fearful 
scourge of the war in the South 
was an ordeal that few people 
could have withstood. In all 
these experiences, the fidelity of 
the church was unshaken. The 
Annual Meeting has frequently 
been held in the State and when 
held elsewhere, ' the Virginia 
churches have been invariably 
represented. This repeated con- 
tact with the membership at 
to instill interest in the general 
workings of the church and thereby maintain this 
marked loyalty. In turn, the frequent selection of 
Virginia brethren as officers of the Conference is an 
evidence of the high esteem in which they were held 
by the Brotherhood. 

Because of the increase in the number of organiza- 
tions, new conditions arose and it was their great de- 
sire that love and union should continue to prevail 
throughout all the churches in Virginia. Devout min- 
isters would visit the different communities ; hold 
meetings and admonish the members to live holy lives 
62 



Elder George Shaver, 

First Minister of 

Woodstock. 



large tended much 



ORIGIN OF DISTRICT MEETING 

and to labor for the peace and prosperity of the 
church. But their sohcitation for the advancement 
of Christ's kingdom demanded other measures. There- 
fore, council meetings were held from time to time in 
the various localities, in which the .rrganizations most 
conveniently located would unite. In time, some of 
these conferences were made more general in charac- 
ter, the work broadened, and the churches wherever 
located were usually represented. The name, General 
Council Meeting, was applied to them. However, at 
no time did they assume the duties of Annual Meeting, 
but, on the contrary, they devised measures by which 
her decisions could successfully be carried into effect. 
Such perplexing problems as divorce, fornication, 
slavery, etc., received repeated consideration. 

These associations were productive of advanced 
thought, and the meetings from time to time formu- 
lated queries, far reaching in their nature, to be pre- 
sented to Annual fleeting. However, to some of these 
measures the General Conference was not ready to 
give assent. To trace the entire development during 
this period by illustrations would cause this volume to 
grow far beyond its intended proportions at present. 
A few must suffice, although others would be of almost 
equal interest. In a meeting held in the old Brick 
church, Augusta County, on February 29 and March 
1, 1856, a part of the time was devoted to mission 
work. Eld. John Kline in his diary. Life of John 
Kline, page 366, says of the proceedings : " Today 
we discuss the question of the propriety of making a 
move to more generally propagate the Gospel. ]\Iost 
of the brethren and sisters present seemed to be 

6Z 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

heartily in favor of the move. One brother, John 
Harshberger, said : ' If the Gospel is not true, let us 
eat and drink like other beasts, for tomorrow we die; 
but if the Gospel be true — and thanks be unto God, 
for we know it is true — it is worthy of all acceptation, 
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one 
that believeth. But how can any one believe in him 
of whom he has not heard? And how can any one 
hear without a preacher? And how can any preach 
except he be sent ? ' I am in favor of trying to do more 
in every way than we have yet attempted, to spread the 
good news of salvation. 

"'Salvation! let the echo fly 

The spacious earth around, 
Till all the nations 'neath the sky- 
Conspire to raise the sound.' " 

As a consequence of this meeting, John Kline, Ben- 
jamin Moomaw, Peter Nininger, and John Harsh- 
berger were appointed a committee to draw a memo- 
rial asking for a plan to carry into effect the decision 
of x\nnual Meeting of 1852, which they so strongly 
favored. When the petition was drawn, it was car- 
ried to the Annual Meeting, near Freeport, Illinois, 
by Eld. John Kline. In response to this memorial, 
the following was enacted by the General Conference: 

"Yearly Meeting. 1856. Art. 22. A letter from 
Virginia urging that this Yearly Meeting devise a 
plan, how the church could fulfill the command of the 
Savior, Matt. 28: 19, more effectually, so that the 
Article 8, on our Minutes of 1852, should not remain 
a dead letter. This meeting recommends the subject 
to the serious consideration of all the churches." 
64 



MISSIONARY ACTIVITY 

While the meeting was not yet ready to adopt a plan 
for more effective missionary endeavor, the letter was 
accorded due consideration. The zeal for the mission- 
ary cause continued unabated. In practical missionary 




Elder Isaac Myers Starting to West Virginia 
Mission Field. 

endeavor we have some of the most striking examples 
of devotion on the part of the Virginia ministry. 

Furthermore, there was a continued strong desire 
that the Yearly IMeeting should devise some method 
by which all the churches would unite in mission 
work. In this the general Brotherhood was not 

65 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

united. Therefore, as originators of the plan to di- 
vide the States into districts, they advocated a district 
missionary organization which they sought to have the 
General Conference endorse. To this end, a plan, at- 
tributed to a Virginia pen, was submitted to the Yearly 
Meeting of 1858, which reads as follows: 

'' Whereas, there is a strong desire among the Breth- 
ren in various places to have a more general exertion 
made on the part of the church to have the Truth more 
universally spread; and, whereas, the subject has been 
frequently talked of without any definite plan being 
proposed; we, therefore, have concluded by way of 
introduction, to offer the following outlines of a plan, 
subject, however, to such amendments as may from 
time to time be thought best. That is, let each State 
where there is a respectable number of Brethren, form 
a district ; let the Brethren then hold their annual 
meetings; let each of these divisions (districts) have 
its treasury; let the churches that feel favorable have 
their treasury ; let the churches be called upon as often 
as may be necessary to cast in their mite as a free-will 
offering. Then let these contributions be put into the 
district treasury and let the District Meeting appoint 
ministering brethren, say two or more, if necessary 
(such as are willing to go), to travel through the re- 
spective States for one year, their expenses being paid, 
and such provision made for their families as may be 
thought necessary." 

This plan, however, met with strong opposition and 
the meeting withheld its approval. 

In 1859, the missionary question was again before 
the General Conference, which evoked a very heated 
66 



MISSIONARY ACTIVITY 

discussion, as a result of which a committee of six 
were appointed to draft a plan " by which the Broth- 
erhood in general can take part in the good work." 
Of this committee, Eld. John Kline was a member and 
a leading spirit. The correspondence between him and 
a number of Brethren in different parts of Virginia 
shows the great interest in missions. In a letter under 
date of February 7, 1860, Peter Nininger, after mak- 
ing certain inquiries concerning their coming District 
Aleeting, continues, " also on the missionary subject, 
I should like to know how the committee is getting 
along on that. I am hopeful that you will be well 
posted on that subject, and that there will be some- 
thing done on that all important subject this spring." 
Likewise, Eld. B. F. Aloomaw wrote him concern- 
ing the work of the committee. In his letter, dated 
January 21, 1860, he cautioned Eld. Kline not to aim 
at too much lest the whole of it fail. He further says, 
" as respects the missionary cause, I entertain fears 
that there will be no improvement, if it is not injured. 
. . . As yet, I have no plan matured, but of this I 
am fully convinced that it will not do to aim at too 
much, less the whole scheme be paralyzed." 

After further discussion of the matter at some 
length, he adds, apparently as an afterthought, " I 
have lately been thinking that there is a plan by which 
much good might be done. It is this : If some broth- 
er gifted with the pen would write out a summary of 
the principles of the church in a brief, comprehensive 
way and have it published for free distribution, it 
would greatly aid in the propagation of the truth and 
arrest some of the errors that are in circulation. I 

67 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

think it would also cause many to inquire more fully 
after the doctrines of the Divine Record." 

These old letters give us some additional glimpses 
of the earnestness of the spirit that ruled the lives of 
these brethren and no doubt permeated the churches 
they served. The reader can well recall that these 
three, with Eld. John Harshberger, constituted the 
committee, four years previous, that drafted a memo- 
rial on missions, that was presented to Annual Meet- 
ing of that year. 

The committee of which Eld. Kline was now a mem- 
ber, according to appointment, met at the Limestone 
church, Tennessee, on May 25, the day prior to the 
Conference. Not all the members were present, most 
likely on account of the excited condition of the South 
at that time, due to the John Brown episode. Of the 
committee meeting. Eld. Kline in his characteristic 
manner wrote in his diary, '' All the members of the 
committee seemed to be impressed with the importance 
of the matter under consideration. All agreed that it 
is not contrary to Gospel order for the church to help 
such preachers as are not able from poverty to do what 
their ability as ministers would enable them to do, if 
they could spare the time from their work at home to 
go more. Many fields are still white unto the harvest. 
The Lord may be today saying : ' I have much people 
in this city,' or in this place. By this he means, 
ready to accept salvation and become his people when 
the doors of the church are fairly opened up to them." 
Life John Kline, Page 43 L 

The records of the Conference show the plan that 
was adopted. 

68 



MISSIONARY ACTIVITY 

In the meeting- held at the old Brick church in 
Augusta County on February 29 and March 1, pre- 
viously mentioned, the Brethren became the prime 




Elder S. A. Sanger, One of the Ardent Missionaries 
of Virginia. 



movers for the division of the States into districts and 
that general council or district meetings be held in 
them. In his notes on this, Life of John Kline, p. 
366 Eld. Kline enters the following items : 

69 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

" Saturday, March 1. Council continues. The sub- 
ject of divorce and adultery is considered today. It 
is decided to send it to Annual Meeting as also a query 
on proposition to district the churches, and have gen- 
eral council meetings in those Districts." 

The minutes of that year's Annual Meeting, Art. 23, 
states that " A proposal " was submitted in favor " of 
forming districts of five, six or more adjoining 
churches for the purpose of meeting jointly at least 
once a year, settling difficulties, etc., and thus lessen- 
ing the business of our General Yearly Meeting. We 
believe this plan to be a good one, if carried out in the 
fear of the Lord." 

While this act gave the approval for holding gener- 
al council meetings, they had been held in Virginia 
for years previous to this time. However, the minutes 
referred to gave to these meetings a new aspect. 
Prior to this, they had not the authority designated to 
them to settle difficulties, but were the outgrowth of a 
desire to more extensively spread the Gospel and to 
prevent differences by maintaining love and union 
among the churches. Furthermore, it was the con- 
stant desire of the Brethren that the influence of these 
meetings should be broadened and that all the churches 
receive the greatest benefit from them. To this end, 
at the District fleeting held at the Valley meeting- 
house, Augusta County, on March 11 and 12, 1859, 
a committee of twelve were appointed to set forth 
the purposes and intent of the District Meeting. Like- 
wise, they were to devise a plan for holding future 
meetings and secure the representation from all the 
70 



MISSIONARY ACTIVITY 

churches. The committee's report which reads as 
follows, was unanimously adopted by the meeting. 

The committee appointed by the general council 
meeting held at the Valley meetinghouse, in Augusta 
County, Virginia, on March 11 and 12, 1859, report, 
that this meeting appoint another meeting of the same 
kind, to be held at some central point, between this time 
and the spring of 1860, in which all the churches 
favorable to holding general council meetings (Dis- 
trict Meeting), shall be represented, if possible. 

This meeting also recommends that B. F. Moomaw, 
Peter Nininger of Botetourt County, Martin Garber 
of Augusta, Solomon Garber of Upper Rockingham, 
and Jacob Miller of Lower Rockingham, be appointed 
a corresponding committee to invite all the churches in 
Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina to represent 
at said meeting at time and place of appointment, that 
we may determine what can be done for the great 
cause of the Gospel. 

This meeting is further of the opinion that the many 
calls from the various parts with the extensive spread 
of the Brotherhood, demand that some systematic 
regulation should be made to facilitate this great cause. 
[Wherefore,] this meeting recommends 

1. That it shall be the duty of such conferences to 
grant similar meetings, for the purpose named, to ap- 
plicants from the various parts of the territory repre- 
sented in these general council meetings as in their 
wisdom they may deem proper. 

2. It shall be the privilege of any of the churches in 
the bounds above stated to make application for such 
meetings when desired. 

3. Said meeting shall in no way supersede Annual 
Meeting, but they shall be assistants thereto, by dis- 
cussing and settling all differences so far as possible, 
in order to lessen the labor of Annual Meeting. Also 

71 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

they shall labor to keep love and union in all the 
churches. But, 

4. These meetings shall not have the power to finally 
settle questions of general doctrine. This duty shall 
devolve upon Annual Meeting alone. 

Signed by 

Daniel Thomas John Kline 

Abraham Garber Daniel Brower 

Martin Cosner Peter Nininger 

Jacob Miller John Harshberger 

John Wine John Wine 

Solomon Garber Martin Cosner 

The above report shows how nearly the purpose 
for which the District Meeting was first inaugurated 
accords with its present usefulness. While the Breth- 
ren were not forgetful to labor for the purity, love, 
and union of the church, the one all-absorbing problem 
was the adoption of some measures by which the 
Gospel could best be propagated. Although the plan 
for district missionary organization did not receive 
the approval of Annual IMeeting the previous year, 
they did not think it an act of disloyalty to adopt some 
measures by which the work could be made more 
aggressive. For this the Brethren elicited the greatest 
interest by their correspondence. Arrangements were 
made to hold the next meeting at the Valley meeting- 
house, Botetourt County, March 30, 1860. A number 
of the ministers from Rockingham and Augusta coun- 
ties were in attendance, among whom were Elders 
John Kline and Solomon Garber. 



n 



CHAPTER V. 

Slavery. 

Among the great problems the Church of the 
Brethren has had to meet, none has been more perplex- 
ing than that of slavery. At this time it is most 
difficult to realize the wisdom and devotion to duty 
that was necessary to keep the church clear of it and 
yet remain a united people. Upon this breaker few, 
very few, church organizations with a membership so 
widely distributed through the North and the South 
were able to ride. It is to the undying honor of the 
Brethren then living that they continued a firm, united 
people in opposition to this national sin until it was 
erased from the statutes of the American nation. 

Although less than a half century has elapsed since 
the colored race was considered chattel for the white 
man in the South, very few persons can recall the spirit 
of that time. Furthermore, at the present, when the 
colored man has freedom throughout Virginia and 
when the State provides for the education of his chil- 
dren and when asylums are maintained by the public 
treasury for the unfortunate of his race, it is difficult 
to realize how the negro was bought and driven to 
market as so many beasts of the field, less than two 
generations ago. Every true citizen would readily wish 
that the records of this evil could be eliminated from 
the annals of our fair State, but it must ever remain 
in evidence of the fester spot of that time. 

From the year 1620 to the surrender of General Lee 

73 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

in 1865, the black man was held in bondage in Virginia. 
At first, however, little encouragement was given the 
slave-traders, and niany of the leading citizens stood in 
opposition to it. More than one hundred petitions and 
protests were entered by various organizations of the 




" I was once a slave." 



Virginia people against the institution of slavery and 
the Colonial Assembly enacted laws against it, but this 
availed nothing with England's greed for the gain to 
be derived from this hateful traffic. George Washing- 
ton, the father of our country, said that it was '' among 
his first wishes to see some plan adopted by which 
74 



SLAVERY 

slavery in his country (Virginia) might be aboHshed 
by law. " He further wrote that his suffrage should 
never be wanting to this end. James Madison and Pat- 
rick Henry reprobated the principle of slavery. On 
account of this institution, Thomas Jefferson declared 
that " he trembled for his country when he remembered 
that God is just. " This last-named statesman, at the 
Constitutional Congress on March 1, 1784, offered a 
measure tending to restrict the slave traffic, but this 
was defeated. 

However, the lucid climate of Virginia, together 
with the invention of the cotton gin, made slavery far 
more profitable to the Virginians than to their brethren 
living in the more rigorous climate in the North. As 
the result of this the trader found a lucrative market 
for his human chattel in Virginia, and in the year 1790 
there were 200,000 slaves in the State. The traffic ex- 
tended beyond the mountains into the Valley of Vir- 
ginia, and many of the Germans, who at first opposed 
slavery, yielded to its seductive influence. In time the 
traffic became extensive in this section also, and the 
slave-driver under the laws of the State plied his un- 
merciful vocation to his heart's content. 

That the reader may see more clearly the nature and 
extent of this traffic in the Valley, the following ad- 
vertisements as they appeared among others of a 
similar kind in the Rockingham Register in 1858 are 
here appended. 

A well-known dealer located in Harrisonburg, Vir- 
ginia, inserted the following: 

A Few Negroes Wanted. — Whilst some of my 
Augusta friends are advertising largely for their hun- 

75 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 



dreds and thousands of Negroes, I beg to state that 
I shall be satisfied to purchase A FEW valuable ne- 
groes, of both sexes, for which I will pay as HIGH 
PRICES as are paid by my neighbors. While I will 
be content to get a few Negroes, I wish it to be under- 
stood that I have money enough to pay- for all that 
may be offered. I am always ready to act upon com- 
mission for my friends. — Harrisonburg, Va. 

An Augusta County buyer makes use of printer's ink 
in this wise : 

1,000 Negroes Wanted. — I wish to purchase one 
thousand LIKELY NEGROES, of both sexes for 
the Southern market, for which I will give the highest 
cash prices. — 

Other dealers likewise called attention to their special 
claims for patronage. One more, reproduced from the 
Rockinghani Register and Advertiser of July 30, 1858. 
is given here : 

-idgewjTfer ^ept ft. lB5fi--tf 



al 
a- 

a 

ft' 
«S 

B 




I WILL purchase at lair prices, any claes of ne 
groec. I htive on ha,nd thi.ee faiiiilies, ■\rliich I 
will sol] at fair prices. They v.crc raised ia the 
V.illey, and jsositivc.'y did not come Irom "~ 
lurbijiond, as they arosouud and of good 

chaiartej. i^cwarc uf negroes from the, 

Tchmond market, as every one knows the traders 
in that iiunket are good judges and will buy nono 
but. thooc th lit are sound and healthy, and the re- 
fuse stock is V'cddied through the country, or if any 
t->f u.y aciiuaintancrs v.'ish^s to buy a scrub or a de- 
fei-.liVe ncf;ro, give me a call and yt.u will not go a- 
v,ay with-'.Jt. one. I .also will swop by gettieg the 
advanlHi^e a liltle, say 25 or S'iO in a negro, if you 
have on?' that don't suit you, come and see me, mj 
frieudp, if their ie any Such a tiii-jg 
Address 

Port Kepublic, KeckiDgham co., Va 
Dec. 21. 1855 

CAI5II*/lC'r-itl A E£f Nf.i & Vi^ OIC RTA,M1N«. 
^"A\TA8 BASWOKH returns his A*oH*J tar <>' 





r 

\\ 

a 



t 
h 
e 
I 



76 



SLAVERY 

Of the traffic as it appeared then and as to the pres- 
ent condition of the colored man, Eld. Jonas Graybill 
gives the following interesting observation. 

" I lived on the main road leading from Winchester, 
Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee. In the fall of each 
year large droves of slaves were taken south along 
this thoroughfare. The men were handcuffed on the 
sides of a chain forty or fifty feet long. Each one was 
just given room enough to walk and to lie down at 
night to sleep. Frequently, they had to leave their 
wives and children and go south never to hear from 
them again. 

" In slavery times marriage among the slaves con- 
sisted of a simple ceremony without license. Very 
often the husband belonged to one slave-holder and the 
wife to another. When one was sold, not being able 
to write, they would seldom hear from each other. I 
was at a sale where two boys were sold to a slave- 
dealer. When they were led away their mother cried 
and prayed the Lord to take care of her boys. I saw 
one young man sell for $1,100 and another for $1,400. 

" In time of the war a colored minister, who was 
also a slave, asked me what I thought of the war. I 
told him that it was an awful thing for a Christian na- 
tion to be engaged in. He said, ' This is true, but there 
are thousands of us poor slaves who are praying that 
the Lord will so overrule this war that we may be 
free. ' When I look at the Negro today with the oppor- 
tunities placed before him and as I see him in school 
and college wath the privilege of the Sunday school 
and church, I am made to think that God certainly 
answered these prayers." 

77 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

For various reasons, many citizens of the Valley 
would contract from year to year with the East Vir- 
gfinia slave-owners for the service of their slaves. This 




Elder Jonas Graybill. See Biography, Chapter VIII, 

was usually done at New Year, and so extensive was 

this custom that " slave-hiring day " was an event of 

no little importance in the different towns of the Valley. 

Inherently opposed to this enforced servitude, from 

7^ 



SLAVERY 

the very earliest date the Church of the Brethren stood 
uncompromisingly in opposition to this human traffic 
in any form whatever. Years before the organization 
of any abolition party in the North, the Brethren de- 
cided that slavery can not be permitted in any form 
among them. In 1863, a writer reviewing the church 
on this question said : " The Brethren always believed 
and still believe that slavery is a great evil and con- 
trary to the doctrine of Christ. " 

This conviction seemed to be no less strong regard- 
less of the section in which the Brethren lived. In 
Virginia, where the colored man was held in bondage, 
and where he was bought and sold with little regard 
to his wishes, and v/here few dared to question the 
right or wrong of it, the church stood unalterably 
opposed to these unrighteous acts. In every instance 
when the question was considered in their general 
council meetings, the decisions were strongly in oppo- 
sition to it. 

Furthermore, that the reader may more fully see the 
position the church has ever held on slavery, a few ex- 
tracts from the minutes of Annual Meeting are here 
given. In 1782, more than a decade before any organ- 
ized political movement in any part of the country 
against slavery, the Generar Conference said: "Con- 
cerning the un-Christian negro slave trade, it has been 
unanimously considered, that it can not be permitted 
in any wise by the church, that a member should or 
could purchase negroes or keep them as slaves. " 

Again in 1797, the following decision was made by 
Annual Meeting : " that no brother or sister should 
have negroes as slaves, and in case a brother or sister 

79 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

has such, he (or she) has to set them free. " Another 
part of this resolution relates to a slave-owner who 
asks for admission into the church. The decision 
stands that such persons shall be informed of the 
council of the church, but in case where they could not 
emancipate them at once, they may be held so long as 
the nearest church may deem proper and then they 
shall go free with a good suit of clothes. In case of 
children of slave parents, they could be kept until 
twenty-five years old, but their owners wxre required 
to have them taught reading and writing, and to bring 
them up in the fear of the Lord, and, after presenting 
them with a new suit of wearing apparel, they were to 
go free. In the event a brother should be disobedient 
to this decision, the minute speaks as follows : 
" Further, it is considered, if a brother contrary to this 
conclusion, would purchase negroes and would not 
emancipate them, he would have to be considered as 
disobedient and we would have no fellowship with him 
until he sets them free. " 

In 1812, the Conference denounced slavery as " a 
grievous evil " and declared that '' it should soon be 
abolished. " The Conference of 1813 reaffirmed the 
decision of 1797, with the exception that the children 
of slaves should be set free at twenty-one in case of 
males and at eighteen in case of females. This Con- 
ference also urged the members to be diligent in 
restraining their children, who are not members of the 
church, so far as possible, from buying, selling, and 
holding slaves. 

The abuses arising from the Fugitive Slave Act, 
together with various laws enacted by slave States, 

80 



SLAVERY 

brought slavery again before the Annual Conference 
of 1853, to be considered from a new view-point. 
Seeing that the efforts of the church were being frus- 
trated by kidnappers, some Brethren thought it useless 
to make such great sacrifice to set their slaves free only 
to be sold into worse servitude. However, the church 
w^as unwilling to tolerate slavery even from this ap- 
parently reasonable standpoint. Concerning this, a 
•query was presented to the Annual Meeting of 1853, 
which reads as follows : 

How shall any branch of the church proceed in case 
an individual wishes to become a member who is in 
possession of a slave or slaves, and the law of the 
State in which they reside is such, that they cannot 
manumit them in safety without transporting them be- 
yond its (the State's) limits, and as we are aware 
that the several States where slavery does not exist 
are contemplating and passing strenuous laws prohibit- 
ing their emigration thither? It seems indispensably 
necessary for us to adopt some other plan than hither- 
to practiced, in order that the church should be kept 
clear from the evils of slavery, and that such persons 
may be enabled to come into Christ's kingdom. 

There was quite a difference of opinion how best to 
answer this query. This, however, was not because 
any of them favored the admission of slavery into the 
church, but it arose in the different views as to what 
was best to do with them when they were set free. 
After a somewhat lengthy discussion, the matter was 
deferred one year and placed into the hands of Joseph 
Arnold and B. F. Moomaw of Virginia, John H. Um- 
stad, Samuel Lahman, Isaac Price, and David Bosser- 

81 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

man of Pennsylvania, and D. P. Sayler and Henry 
Koontz of Maryland. 

There was likewise a difference of views among the 
members of the committee. So strong was this that 
there was a majority and a minority report submitted. 
The text of the latter can not be given, but it is known 
that some of the Virginia Brethren were much in- 
terested in the colonization of the colored man and they 
would have gladly secured the endorsement of the 
general Brotherhood. The majority report was 
adopted which reads as follows : 

First. Under no circumstances can slavery be ad- 
mitted into the church. 

Secondly. In all cases, where a holder of a slave or 
slaves wishes to become a member of the church, he 
be required to manumit all his slaves before baptism 
upon the following conditions : the males to go out 
free at the age of twenty-one and the females at the 
age of eighteen years. All those over and above these 
ages when manumitted are to be paid by their former 
owner such a sum, either in money or goods, as may 
be judged right by the church in which the case may 
occur, and which is considered as the best judge, being 
acquainted with all the circumstances, as a compensa- 
tion for their services over age. This will enable the 
manumitted to emigrate to a land of liberty, and relieve 
the conscience of the liberator from the burden of 
taking with him to the bar of God the wages of op- 
pression. 

Other decisions were made on the dififerent phases 
of the slavery question, but to the one end that slavery 
can not be tolerated in any form because " it was 
wrong ; it belongs to the iniquities of Babylon ; and it 
was making merchandise of the souls of men. " 

82 



SLAVERY 

Whatever may have been the individual views of the 
Virginia Brethren on the subject, they at once set about 
to carry it out in practical life. If proof were needed 
to show their loyalty to the general Brotherhood, the 
reference to this one question alone should settle it 
forever. Yet how little we can realize the trial it cost to 
maintain them under the then existing conditions and 




Linville Creek Church. 



at the same time carry forward an aggressive mission- 
ary movement. At this time, it requires no philosopher 
to look back and pronounce slavery a most abominable 
curse. Even some that favored it then will now de- 
clare it an evil, but to stand in opposition to it amid 
the spirit of that time was widely different. Meeting 
its seductive influence from year in to year out, with 
the statutes of the State giving it full recognition, and 
an overwhelming sentiment in its favor, it required 

83 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

men of true conviction and courageous hearts to un- 
compromisingly stand in opposition to slavery. Beneath 
this influence, many men of less conviction fell and be- 
came disunited from their brethren in the North. Thus 
tlieir religious bodies were rent asunder and were 
known as the churches of the North and churches of 
the South. 

The Lord is truly to be praised for His guiding hand 
which brought the Brethren Church through these 
dark years, a united people. No North, no South, but 
all one — inseparably one in Christ Jesus. How easy it 
would have been to have lowered the standard for the 
sake of the missionary cause that burned so near their 
hearts ! for the workers at almost every turn of the 
way came in contact with the slave-owners' interests. 
To the east it stood an unpassable barrier to all en- 
deavor. Here, from generation to generation, slaves 
had been owned, bought and sold, and almost every 
one had come to think that the black man was created 
to become merchandise for the white man. Therefore 
it was not safe for the Brethren to preach in East Vir- 
ginia at that time. 

In some parts of the Valley of Virginia conditions 
were more favorable. The influence of the Brethren 
and that of the Mennonites and United Brethren, who 
held like views of slavery, strongly counteracted its in- 
fluence. However, in other sections of the Valley, 
many slaves were held and the popular sentiment was 
strong in its favor. But these consecrated workers 
were willing to labor and wait. They were made to 
rejoice when some accepted the truth. Among the 
number at times were slaveholders. When the position 
84 



SLAVERY 

of the church was fully set before them as to their 
slaves, not a few were like the young ruler in the time 
of Christ's ministry, they went away sorrowing, for 
their slaves represented much riches to them. Some- 
times they were persons of wide influence and would 
have brought to the church prestige in the community 
in which they lived. However, a few were more noble 
in seeking after the truth and at the bidding of the 
church set their slaves free. In some instances they 
were valued at many thousands of dollars. 

Furthermore, it was necessary that the church con- 
tinue united in its opposition to this enforced servitude, 
for there were members who found it hard to comply 
with their promises they had made. To this end the 
churches would meet in their general council meetings 
to discuss and enact such measures as were best suited 
to carry out the decisions of Annual Meeting. Some 
of these measures appear to embrace even more than 
was contemplated by the decisions of General Confer- 
ence. A meeting of this nature was held at the old 
Linville Creek church in 1855, the minutes of which 
are hereunto appended : 

Rockingham County, Virginia, March 2, 1855. 

We, the Brethren of Augusta, Upper and Lower 
Rockingham, Shenandoah and Hardy counties having, 
in general council meeting assembled in the church 
on Linville Creek ; and having under consideration the 
following question concerning those Brethren that are 
holding slaves at this time and who have not complied 
with the requisition of Annual Meeting of 1854, con- 
clude 

1. That they make speedy preparation to liberate 
them either by emancipation or by will, that this evil 

85 



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Minutes of Council Meeting, held at Linville Creek Church, 

March 2, 1855. 



SLAVERY 

may be banished from among us, as we look upon 
slavery as dangerous to be tolerated in the church ; 
is tending to create disunion in the Brotherhood, and 
is a great injury to the cause of Christ and the prog- 
ress of the church. So we unitedly exhort our breth- 
ren, humbly, yet earnestly and lovingly, to clear them- 
selves of slavery, that they may not fail and come 
short of the glory of God, at the great and notable 
day of the Lord. 

Furthermore, concerning Brethren hiring a slave or 
slaves and paying wages to their owners, we do not 
approve of it. The same is attended with evil and is 
combined with slavery. It is taking hold of the same 
evil which we cannot encourage, and should be ban- 
ished and put from among us, and cannot be tolerated 
in the church. 

Brethren present : 

Ordained Elders. Ministers. 

Ben j amine Bowman Abraham Knupp 
Daniel Yount Martain Miller 

John Kline Solomon Garber 

John Wine Joseph Miller 

John Harshberger Jacob Miller 

George Shaver Daniel Thomas 

Daniel Brower John Brindel 

Jacob Brower David Kline 

Selestine Whitmore John Miller 

Christian Wine 
INIartain Garber 
John Neff 
John Wine 

Despite these strong decisions, slavery continued to 
agitate the Virginia church. Not unlike the ex- 
periences of more modern times, there were Brethren 
who felt loath to part wdth their idol. Doubtless the 
difficulties in the way of manumitting them caused 

87 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

others to hesitate. Whatever the cause, they were not 
permitted to keep them as slaves. It became necessary 
to hold a similar meeting the 11th of September of the 
following year at the same place. This time the 
question considered was slightly different. It referred 
to what the church here in the slavehoiding States 
should require of any slave-owner that desires to come 
into the church. Eld. John Kline in his notes says it is 
" a very delicate matter to act upon in the present 
sensitive condition of public feeling on slavery. But it 
is the aim of the Brethren here not to offend popular 
feeling, so long as that feeling does not attempt any 
interference with what they regard and hold sacred as 
their line of Christian duty. Should such opposition 
arise, which I greatly fear will be the case at no distant 
day, it will then be seen that it is the fixed purpose 
and resolve of the Brotherhood to ' obey God rather 
than man.' " " Life of John Kline," p. 382. 

The minutes of the meeting are only preserved in 
part. The lower half is torn away. Enough is here to 
show how these Brethren handled this " delicate mat- 
ter, " as Eld. Kline called it. The part of the record 
which was preserved reads as follows: 

"At a council meeting held at the Linville Creek 
meetinghouse the 11th of September 1856, the Breth- 
ren took into consideration the slavery question and 
came to the following conclusion : 

That no members should be received by baptism 
into the church until they have first manumitted or set 
free all slaves, or slaves over which they have lawful 
control, which manumission is to be effected by put- 
ting on record in the clerk's office of the county a let- 
ter of freedom, with an agreement to assist them with 

88 



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Minutes of Council Meeting, held at Linville Creek Church, 

Sept. 11, 1856. 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

means for transportation, provided they cannot be tol- 
erated long enough with their masters after their free- 
dom to earn the amoinit for their emigration. We do 
not hereby wish to force them from their former mas- 
ter, if they wish to stay with them after they are 
twenty-one years of age, then the master may agree 
with them as with other free persons and pay them 
wages or take care of it for them. 

Here the old paper is torn and it would only be con- 
jecture to state what follows. Yet enough is given to 
show how persistently they labored to free the church 
from the contaminating influences of slavery. 

It should be stated that some of these former slaves 
were much attached to their masters and gladly con- 
tinued with them as long as they lived. The further 
fact should also be recorded, that not all slaves were 
unkindly treated by their masters as some have sup- 
posed. In many instances the opposite is true, but it 
could not be accepted as the rule. Whatever their 
condition, the Brethren were relentlessly opposed to 
this enforced servitude, which their records abundantly 
Drove. 



3A 



CHAPTER VI. 

Period of Civil War— Oppression — ^Exemption Acts 

Passed. 

For reasons that must be apparent to all, the years 
from 1860 to 1865 were the most eventful in the his- 
tory of the Church of the Brethren in the South: 
The lamentable condition that befell any one section 
was not unlike that experienced in another. Yet, be- 
cause of Virginia's geographical location, her soil was 
the constant ground of contention for the oppos- 
ing armies. Therefore, the privations and suffer- 
ings of the Virginia churches was of a most unusual 
character throughout the unfortunate conflict. 

The dark cloud that had been hovering over our 
national horizon, for the past quarter of a century, at 
the beginning of this period began to grow more 
threatening and the mutterings of the distant thun- 
ders too plainly told of the approaching calamity. 
During the year 1860, the chasm between the Xorth 
and the South rapidly widened. Reason was de- 
throned and the hearts of men, fired by designing 
politicians, were ruled by the wildest of passions. A 
friendly neighbor differing in his political views was 
not unfrequently taken for a foe. The election of 
Abraham Lincoln to the presidency of the United 
States was considered sufficient evidence that the 
rights of the Southern people would be trampled 
upon, and therefore, a sufficient reason for the rend- 
ing asunder of the union of our country. 

91 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

Thus the war between the North and the South 
broke forth in its awful fury in the spring of 1861, 
and our Southland of which we so delight to speak 
became gory with human blood. A Northern veteran 
in relating some of his experiences to the writer said, 
" I remember distinctly when we entered the Shenan- 
doah Valley of Virginia, I thought it the most beauti- 
ful country my eyes ever looked upon, but before 
leaving it became a literal slaughter pen for human 
beings and the desolation of the country beggars de- 
scription." 

On the altar of this bloody war were offered six hun- 
dred thousand lives ; more than eight billions of dollars 
in money and property ; beside untold misery and woe 
to innocent and helpless women and children. All 
this could have been avoided and the results far more 
to be desired, if all men would have been governed 
by the teaching of the Prince of Peace. Yet, to the 
undying honor of many citizens of Virginia, strong 
efforts were made during the year 1860, to bring 
about an amicable settlement between the North and 
the South. Again in January, 1861, the Legislature 
of Virginia passed a resolution inviting all the States 
to a peace convention. This conference met in Wash- 
ington, the 4th of February of the same year. After 
remaining in session for twenty-three days, it ad- 
journed with but little result. Virginia hesitated but 
a few months longer and, like a deluded child, she 
left her moorings and cast her lot with the Southern 
Confederacy. 

Throughout the year 1860, the church was quietly, 
yet earnestly, engaged in the Master's work. Because 
92 



PERIOD OF CIVIL WAR 

of the high tension of public sentiment, more fully 
inaugurated by the John Brown folly, the Brethren 
were derisively classed as Abolitionists, and the 
hand of persecution was already upon them. Through 
these conditions, the Lord quickly developed leaders 
that, were able to present to the authorities and the 
public in general, the position of the Brethren Church 
on the questions that agitated the public mind. They 
were no less alert when an unjust attack was made 
through the public press or otherwise. In the early 
part of the year 1860, an article appeared in the Rock- 
ingham Register purporting to have been written by 
a brother against the enemies of the church, thereby 
putting it in an unfavorable light. The Brethren, in 
a general council meeting held at Millcreek, February 
25, 1860, promptly repudiated the article in question 
and made endeavors to investigate the character of 
the writer. The minutes, somewhat lengthy, were 
signed by John Kline, Daniel Brower, John Wine, 
Solomon Garber, John J. Harshberger, Daniel 
Thomas, Martin Gerber, Christian Wine and Isaac 
Long. This alertness, the reader will see, was char- 
acteristic of the Brethren throughout the years that 
follow. 

When suffering was necessary, they could do it 
with the bravery of the true hero. However, every 
opportunity that did not compromise principle was 
sought to present to the authorities the truths upon 
which the church stood, in order to avoid unneces- 
sary embarrassment. During the whole of this time, 
no people were more solicitous for the peace and 
union of the country. At their conferences, their 

93 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

public meetings, and by special appointment, prayers 
were offered for the peace of the country. Neverthe- 
less, the old year ended with much evil forebodings 
and the new was ushered in with an awful prospect 
in view. Of *this. Eld. John Kline wrote on January 
1, 1861: 

The year opens with dark and lowering clouds in 
our national horizon. I feel a deep interest in the 
peace and prosperity of our country, but in my view 
both are sorely threatened now. Secession is the cry 
further south ; and I greatly fear its poisonous breath 
is being wafted northward towards Virginia on the 
wings of fanatical discontent. A move is already on 
hand for holding a convention at Richmond, Virginia ; 
and while its advocates publicly deny the charge, I, 
for one, feel sure that it signals the separation of our 
beloved old state from the family in which she has 
long lived and been happy. The perishable things of 
earth distress me not, only in so far as they affect the 
imperishable. Secession means war ; and war means 
tears and ashes and blood. It means bonds and im- 
prisonments, and perhaps even death to many in our 
beloved Brotherhood, who, I have the confidence to 
believe, will die, rather than disobey God by taking 
up arms. 

The Lord, by the mouth of Moses, says : " Be sure 
your sin will find you out." It may be that the sin of 
holding three millions of human beings under the gall- 
ing yoke of involuntary servitude has, like the bond- 
age of Israel in Egypt, sent a cry to heaven for 
vengeance ; a cry that has now reached the ear of God. 
I bow my head in prayer. All is dark save when I 
turn my eyes to him. He assures me in his Word 
that " all things work together for good to them that 
love him." This is my ground of hope for my beloved 
brethren and their wives and their children. He alone 

94 



PERIOD OF CIVIL WAR 

can provide for their safety and support. I believe he 
will do it. 

With truly a prophetic eye, the horrors of a bloody 
war loomed up before him and every available means 
was put forth to assist in bringing about an amicable 
agreement. He urged public men in almost every sta- 
tion in life to use all their power to maintain the 
Union and avert the war. 

On January 30, 1861, he wrote a letter to John 
Letcher, Governor of Virginia, commending him for 
the stand he had taken for the Union. In the same 
letter he very wisely made a plea for the Brethren, 
that they may be relieved from military duty in the 
event of the calamity he so much feared. 

Immediately Gov. Letcher wrote him the following 
courteous reply: 

Richmond, Virginia, 

February 1, 1861. 
My Dear Sir : 

I received your kind letter this evening, and am 
gratified to find that our views upon public questions 
are so nearly in accordance. I have never doubted, 
that I would in the main, be sustained by the reflect- 
ing and conservative men, in all sections of our State, 
and I am now receiving numerous evidences, of the 
correctness of that opinion. 

We have many men in the North and South, who 
are anxious to see the Union destro3''ed. By far the 
larger number, are reckless adventurers, without prop- 
erty, who have nothing to lose; and no revolution in 
the country or its business can therefore injure them. 
They think they may in a war better their condition, 
and they are therefore disposed to take chances, and 
run all hazards. 

95 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

I would be glad to see the arrangement in regard 
to military service, suggested in your letter adopted. 
I think it entirely reasonable, that those who have 
conscientious scruples, in regard to the performance 
of militia duty, should be relieved by the payment of 
a small pecuniary compensation. There are enough 
of others who take pleasure in the performance of 
such duties. 

It is gratifying to hear that my old friends in the 
Tenth Legion sustain me now, as in other days. I ap- 
preciate a compliment from such people most highly. 

I have great hopes that the controversy now un- 
happily existing between the North and the South 
will be eventually settled, to the satisfaction of the 
conservative men of all parties. 

I am truly 

Your friend, 

John Letcher. 

Akin to the spirit that was shown in Eld. Kline, 
the church in Virginia throughout made noble efforts 
for peace. Appeals were made in person and by 
letter to public officials, but the spirit of war was upon 
the land and like a mighty avalanche it swept every- 
thing before it. No people more deeply deplored the 
unwise act of their own beloved State in withdraw- 
ing from the Union. It was plain now that nothing 
more could be done. The war was upon them. It is 
left to other pens to trace the awful suffering of the 
contending forces during these dreadful years. 

With the consciousness of having done all they 
could to avert the fearful holocaust, they meekly 
bowed to the inevitable. In answer to a plea in be- 
half of some of the Brethren who had been indig- 
nantly treated by some of the soldiers, Col. John B. 

96 



OPPRESSION 

Baldwin said : " The truth is, that war is nothing 
but a siege of violence, bloodshed and wrong. Who- 
ever is responsible for inflicting such a curse on any 
people has a fearful reckoning to stand before the 
bar of a just God. It is to me a source of great and 
honest satisfaction, that I can, with a clear conscience, 
declare that I have never in my whole life said or 
done anything intended or calculated to stir up strife 
between the Xorth and the South. I resisted to the 
last with all my might, the effort to break the old 
Union and bring on this war." 

It should be here mentioned that Col. Baldwin aft- 
erward in the legislative hall of the Confederate 
Congress, became the great champion for the cause 
of the Brethren, whom he knew could repeat the sen- 
timents of his words with equal emiphasis. 

With the war came a most trying condition for 
the church to meet. Their fidelity to the teaching of 
Christ against carnal warfare was now to be sorely 
tried. Prior to this, fines were imposed for non-ap- 
pearance at time for military drill. In the spring of 
1861, when volunteers were called, derision was 
heaped upon them. They were branded with a lack 
of patriotism and with cowardice. These were borne 
with a true Christian spirit. But one brother is 
known to have yielded to the military spirit of the 
time. In July of the same year, however, the State 
made a draft, calling for all able-bodied men between 
the ages of eighteen and forty-five years. Among 
these were many Brethren. They had always been 
law-abiding citizens, but in this they could not obey. 
God had spoken against engaging in carnal warfare, 

97 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

and they willingly obeyed Him rather than man. 
Some secured substitutes among those who were will- 
ing to go to the army and were not included in the 
draft, paying for their services from $800 to $1,500 
each. Others were carried off to the army. A few 
were literally bound and hauled away from their 
homes. While there they w^ere obedient to every 
command, save to shoot down their fellow man. It 
was at this time that Gen. T. J. Jackson made the 
somewhat famous statement : " There lives a people 
in the Valley of Virginia, that are not hard to bring to 
the army. While there they are obedient to their 
officers. Nor is it difficult to have them take aim, 
but it is impossible to get them to take correct aim. 
I, therefore, think it better to leave them at their 
homes that they may produce supplies for the army." 
Immediately following the draft by the State, steps 
were inaugurated to free the Brethren held in the 
army. At first, all seemed destined to failure, but 
with a firm reliance in God, and a firm belief in the 
righteousness of their cause, they were persistent in 
their efforts. State officials were seen and army offi- 
cers were written to and appealed to in person. It is 
definitely stated that Samuel Kline, a lay member liv- 
ing a few miles north of Staunton, made the trip alone 
to Richmond in behalf of his brethren. In Botetourt 
and Roanoke counties their cause was championed 
by Elders Benjamin F. Moomaw, Peter Nininger, 
Jonas Graybill and others. In Rockingham and adja- 
cent counties there were many advocates of their 
cause. Here the Mennonite brethren, who held like 
views on war, joined them, and throughout the strug- 

98 ' -;:.. .•• 



OPPRESSION 

gle for liberty, a most beautiful spirit for each other's 
welfare manifested itself. Hand in hand, they la- 
bored for those in bonds and for the exemption enact- 
ments recorded in these pages. 

Yet none were more earnest in this than Eld. John 
Kline. His zeal is evidenced by the many records ex- 
tant, a study of which will show a devotion to his 
brethren and the right that should inspire us to more 
noble deeds of love. Among the letters he wrote was 
one addressed to Col. Lewis, an officer in the Confed- 
erate Army. It is long, but of such interest that it 
is here given, omitting the part which refers to per- 
sonal matters : 

Bowman's Mill, Rockingham County, Va. 

December 16, 1861. 
My dear friend Col. Lewis: 

I arrived home safe and have been looking to hear 
from you. * * * I now desire to approach you on 
another subject which I would like you to consider 
and use your influence with the generals and other 
officers in the army. The subject is this: We Ger- 
man Baptists (called Tunkers) do most solemnly be- 
lieve that the bearing of carnal weapons in order to 
destroy life, is in direct opposition to the Gospel of 
Christ, which we accept as the rule of our faith and 
practice. To this we have most solemnly vowed to be 
true until death. Hence we stand pledged to our God 
to carry out that which we believe to be his command- 
ment. By his apostles he speaks plainly in Romans 
12: 17 to end of the chapter: "Recompense to no 
man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight 
of all men. If it be possible as much as lieth in you, 
live peaceable with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge 
not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath : for 
it is written, Vengeance is mine ; I will repay, saith 

Lore "^ 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed 
him ; if he thirst, give him drink : for in so doing thou 
shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome 
of evil, but overcome evil with good." In many other 
places also, the Lord has spoken on this. 

We feel bound to pay our taxes, fines, and to do 
whatever is in our power which does not conflict with 
our obligation to God. Whenever God speaks we 
think we should obey Him rather than man. But in 
this unholy contest, both law and all former precedents 
of making drafts have been set aside. The privilege 
usually granted Christian people to pay a fine has been 
overruled and set aside, and they are compelled to take 
up weapons of carnal warfare to drill and if need be 
to shoot down their fellow man. This is not only re- 
voLting to them, but a positive violation to their solemn 
vow to their God. This is without precedent in a 
land of Christian liberty. Who the prosecutor of this 
outrage on our constitutional rights is I know not, 
but that it is so is clear. That it has been driven by 
some one is also clear. This state of things the much 
abused Abe Lincoln would have much deplored. For 
I am credibly informed that he issued a proclamation 
that no conscientious Christian should be forced to 
war or to take up arms. 

Thus it should be in a land of Christian liberty. 
None but those who have a disposition or desire to 
rear up a hierarchy or despotic government could feel 
otherwise. None that have a spark of the spirit of 
Washington or Jefferson in their hearts would desire 
to compel their fellow countrymen to take up arms 
against their conscience, and to force them to kill their 
fellow man. Let any one look at and read the fifteenth 
section of the Constitution as before the convention : 
*' Nor shall any man be enforced, restrained, molested, 
or burdened in his body or goods or otherwise snifer 
on account of his religious opinion or belief. This I 
understand is unchanged. Neither should it be. 

100 



EXEMPTION ACTS PASSED 

Therefore, a great breach of the constitution has been 
practiced on us for we have been enforced, restrained,, 
and molested because of our religious belief and 
opinion. 

Please give this matter your earnest attention and 
tell it or read it to your fellow officers, and if expedi- 
ent, to Gen. Jackson. 

From your friend, 

John Kline. 

Although expressed in somewhat caustic language 
to a sympathizer of the Southern Confederacy, yet 
the letter was kindly received and' Mr. Lewis in his 
return letter assured Eld. Kline that it would be a 
pleasure to do all in his power for his cause. 

Influence was brought upon the legislature of Vir- 
ginia during the session of 1861 to '62, in various 
ways. Some of the legislators from the Shenandoah 
Valley were well acquainted with the Brethren and 
did much for them. In this connection should be 
mentioned the names of Mr. Baylor of Botetourt 
County, and Mr. Gray of Rockingham County. 
Therefore the following act was passed which, 
through the kindness of Col. Mortin Marye, Auditor 
of Public Accounts, is here given. 

ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA. 

Chap. 25. — An Act providing for the exemption of 
certain persons upon religious grounds. 
Passed March 29th, 1862. 

1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Vir- 
ginia, that whenever, upon application for exemption 
to the Board of Exemption, it shall appear to said 
Board that the party applying for said exemption is 
bona fide prevented from bearing arms by the tenets 

101 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

of the church to which said applicant belongs, and did 
actually belong at the passage of this act, and further, 
that said applicant has paid to the sheriff of the county 
or collector of taxes for the City or town in which 
said applicant resides, the sum of five hundred dol- 
lars, and in addition thereto, the further sum of two 
per cent of the assessed value of said applicant's taxa- 
ble property, then the said board on presentation of 
the receipt of said officers for said moneys, and after 
the said applicant shall have taken an oath or affirma- 
tion that he will sustain the Confederate Government, 
and w^ill not in any way give aid and comfort to the 
enemy of the said confederate government, then the 
said board shall exempt said applicant ; provided, that 
whenever such party may be unable, or shall fail to 
pay the said sum of five hundred dollars, and the tax 
of two per centum on their property, he shall be em- 
ployed (when liable to militia duty) in the capacity 
of teamster, or in such other character as the service 
may need, which does not require the actual bearing 
of arms ; and provided further, that the persons so ex- 
empted do surrender to the board of exemption all 
arms which they may own, to be held subject to the 
order of the Governor, for the public use. 

2. The sheriff and collectors aforesaid shall account 
for all moneys received under this act as they now 
account for license taxes. 

3. Said Board of exemption shall certify to the 
Auditor of Public Accounts lists of the persons so ex- 
empted, and copies of the sheriff's or collectors' re- 
ceipts for such commutation money, in order that the 
Auditor may charge the officers with the amount so 
collected ; provided the sheriff's commission shall be 
only two per cent upon the amount paid under this 
act. 

4. This act shall be in force from its passage. 

This act was a signal triumph, although in effect 
it was very short-lived. 
102 



OPPRESSION 

During these months, there was much unrest 
among the Brethren. As previously mentioned, the 
State had already made a draft and there were strong 
rumors of the Confederate Government doing like- 
wise. Apparently there was no relief for them. 
Therefore, they resolved to leave their country, homes 
and loved ones. 

To the west of them lay a wide expanse of moun- 
tainous country through which they were compelled 
to pass. From this they naturally shrank, but urged 
on by hearts more brave, if possible, than theirs, 
under the shades of the night they bade the dearest 
objects of earth farewell to go — they knew not where. 
The experiences of these refugees were so varied and 
extensive that to fully relate them alone would make 
a volume. Some of these traveled in small com- 
panies ; others in larger ones. The former could more 
easily elude pursuit. In time some of the peo-ple liv- 
ing along the way found it a lucrative business in 
conducting the refugees to *' Yankeedom," as it was 
called. The fee usually charged was twenty dollars 
per person. Sometimes, however, they would need to 
hide in the mountains for days, with little food or shel- 
ter, when pursued or when the Confederate Army was 
further north or west than usual. 

The experiences of a company of eight are here 
given as an illustration. They had safely gone as far 
as Pendleton County, now in West Virginia, but the 
Confederate Army was then raiding the country, and 
these had to go to the mountains for safety. Here they 
were obliged to remain until almost famished with 
hunger before they could return to the settlement. 

103 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

One of their number in relating their experience said, 
" We remained in our hiding place until we could en- 
dure it no longer. We then went to a farmhouse near 
the mountain to get something to eat. When we 
asked for food, they told us that the army took every- 
thing they had to eat, but a bit of buckwheat meal. 
This the good woman agreed to bake into cakes for 
us, which offer was thankfully received. However, 
the sight of food so intensified the pangs of hunger, 
that the half-baked cakes were snatched from the oven 
and eaten while the batter was dripping to the floor. 
So eager was one of our party that he presented an 
amusing sight when we left the house." 

Some were captured and carried back to captivity. 
Notable among these were two companies taken in 
Hardy County, now West Virginia, in March, 1862. 
In one of these companies there were seventy-two and 
in the other eighteen. In each case they had gotten 
well on the way before being arrested. Bro. David 
M. Miller of Lima, Allen County, Ohio, who was 
one of the seventy-two, in a letter written at the re- 
quest of the author, gives his experience during those 
eventful days in the following interesting manner: 

Lima, Allen Countv, Ohio. 

April 19, 1906. 
D. H. Zigler, 

Dear Bro. : I would like to give you a complete 
history of our experiences while in captivity, but it 
has been so long since it happened that I have for- 
gotten some things. I know we started about five 
weeks before April 17, 1862, for we had a son born 
on that date. I was gone six weeks and when I got 
home, the boy was a week old. 

104 



EXEMPTION ACTS PASSED 

There were sixty-two Brethren and Mennonites 
with eight or ten who were members of no church left 
our homes at the time stated above. When we got 
about a mile beyond Petersburg we saw some persons, 
we thought were soldiers, riding. They got ahead of 
us and stopped in a narrow place in the road. They 
took us back to Petersburg and searched us but found 
no weapon except one small revolver, but some of us 
had Testaments. They then started with us for 
Staunton, Augusta County. 

The first night we fared very well. The next morn- 
ing one man got away and also the next evening an- 
other man dodged out while we were on the march. 
The second night we were closely guarded. In two 
more days we reached Staunton and lodged in the 
courthouse. The next morning we were put on the 
train and sent to Richmond where we were put in a 
tobacco house and closely guarded. We w^ere then 
moved to another house. Here some of the Brethren 
and some of the Mennonites were taken for examina- 
tion. After this we were released by paying $500 and 
two per cent on what each one was worth. A Bro. 
Cline took the Augusta Brethren out and Bro. B. F. 
Byerly took us out who lived in Rockingham. They 
then sent us on the train to Waynesboro, and from 
there we went on foot. When I got home there was 
a boy about a week old. 

I have written this to the best of my recollection. 

Frat. Yours, 

David M. Miller. 

Beyond question the Exemption Act of the Legisla- 
ture of Virginia was passed while these Brethren were 
in prison at Richmond. Their presence no doubt had 
much to do with its passage. Under its provisions 
and through the liberality of the Brethren at home, 
they were released. At a general council meeting 

105 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 




The " Old Courthouse " as it was in the Time of the Civil War. 

(By Permission.) 



106 



EXEMPTION ACTS PASSED 

held at the ^Middle River church, Benjamin F. 
Byerly and Christian KHne were appointed to go to 
Richmond to secure their release. 

The other company mentioned above was approach- 
ing the town of ]\Ioorefield when overtaken by the 
pickets. Bro. Jackson Showalter, who was one of 
the number, said, " There were eighteen of us. We 
were leisurely passing along the road that leads to 
Moorefield when the pickets came up to us. After 
enquiring where we were going, they insisted that 
we should go back with them. The next day we wxre 
taken across the mountains to Woodstock. Here we 
were kept some days. Then we were marched south 
along the pike to Alt. Jackson. After remaining 
here a short time we were taken to Harrisonburg and 
put in the coupthouse, which was used as a guard- 
house. In a few days Eld. John Kline was brought 
to prison also. He did much in many ways to cheer 
us up, for some of our number had become very much 
disheartened by this time." 

Eld. Daniel Miller, who was also one of the cap- 
tives, verifies the statement of Bro. Showalter and in 
addition thereto says, " AVhen we were in prison the 
Exemption Bill, which permitted our release by the 
payment of $500 and two per cent on the assessed 
value of our property, was passed by the Virginia 
Legislature. The next day after its passage (March 
30, 1862) a friend came from Richmond and in- 
formed us of the passage of the bill. In this time 
the authorities had also knowledge of it, and a quar- 
termaster came to us and tried to induce us to en- 
list as teamsters, but none were willing to do so." 

107 • 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

Although the Exemption Bill was passed as stated 
above, some time elapsed before the Brethren were 
set free. The account of this delay is not made clear. 
It IS definitely known that the churches promptly 
raised the necessary amount of money, but, for some 
cause, the fines were not accepted when they were 
first tendered. 

Eld. Miller adds, " I remember well when on April 
16, we were ordered north from Harrisonburg. We 
marched with heavy hearts as far as the Judge Smith 
place, one mile on the way, when some of us were 
released. Why we were released at that place I never 
knew. Others were held longer. Among them wtie 
Elders John Kline, Joseph Beery and Gabrael Heat- 
wole, Sr. I went to my home as quickly as 1 could, 
where my wife with a little baby girl awaited my 
coming. 

" I can recall the names of all my companions when 
captured except one. The ones I remember are : John 
A. Kline, Joseph M. Kline, Christopher Miller, 
oeorge Holler, Daniel Hert, Samuel Wine, John 
Swartz, Jacob Knupp, Martin Click, Hue Brunk, 
Henry Brunk, Henry Nisewander, Jacob Snell, Philip 
Hollar, George Wine, and Jackson Showalter." 

W^hile these Brethren were in captivity in Har- 
risonburg and the first named company were in Rich- 
mond, the Union Army made its first incursion 
through the Valley of Virginia. This was the cause 
of much agitation of the public mind and gave an op- 
portunity to designing persons to make accusation 
against noncombatants. Therefore on the afternoon 
of April 5 Eld. John Kline was captured by scouts, 
108 



OPPRESSION 

taken to Harrisonburg-, and cast into prison on the 
charge of communicating with the Union Army. 
When he was put in prison, he set about making their 
quarters as comfortable as possible. The following 
day he preached for them. In his notes, he said that 
the chief aim of the discourse was to encourage the 
captives. He was kept a prisoner thirteen days. On 
April 16 as mentioned above, the authorities at- 
tempted to move them north some eighteen miles to 
New Market. That day the guard with their pris- 
oners, who were not released, went as far as the 
Bethlehem church. Here Eld. Kline preached in the 
evening. The next morning they started for New 
Market, yet about six miles distant, but on hearing 
cannonading to the north of that place, they retraced 
their steps to Harrisonburg. 

On the 11th of April there appeared in the columns 
of the Rockingham Register an article at which Eld. 
Kline was much displeased. He therefore wrote the 
editor the following letter, a copy of which he kept 
in his own handwriting: 

Large Jury Room, 
Court House of Rockingham, Virginia. 

April 15, 1862. 
Mr. Editor of the Register: 

In your issue of the 11th inst. I see an article headed 
Union Men Taken. In the article several names are 
mentioned who are known to have strong Union pro- 
cHvities. Otherwise, the article made no nominal charge 
against us, which of course, it was out of your power 
to do, but the article carries with it a strong insinua- 
tion as though we had used our influence against the 
Confederacy. If this has been so, why not come out 

109 







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Letter Written to the Editor of Rockingham Register by Elder John 
Kline AVhile He AVas in Prison. 



OPPRESSION 

and point to the place where, or when and wdiat the 
act, or deed, and if this cannot be done, which I know 
it can not, then why shut us up in the guardhouse? 
Why make such false insinuations against good and in- 
nocent citizens, and publish them to the world? Why 
contrary to the constitution take up men without their 
accusers making affidavit that the thing charged was 
to their knowledge true? But all that is now neces- 
sary, is for some vague fiend to raise a falsehood and 
tell it to some of his captains who have no better prin- 
ciple than themselves, and law and constitution is at 
an end. If this is the kind of laws that we are con- 
tending for, then may the Lord save us from it. But 
I think by the quivolous movement so far transacted 
there has been more done to make Union men and 
against the South than all the influence of the Union 
men ever did, because they were inactive. This in- 
fluence is active. 

1. Because near all those men that are taken are 
known to be innocent. 

2. It shows to the world that those who are en- 
gaged in arresting such men on nothing but falsehood 
and misrepresentation are acting under a cowardly 
fear of being overcome. 

3. It is keeping all such out of employment and 
usefulness at home, preventing them from making 
provisions for man and beast. 

4. It is keeping just so many men out of the army 
as are engaged in guarding those and weakening the 
army that much. 

5. It makes a considerable expense upon the 
government which all could be avoided, besides many 
other privileges and usefulness to both their families 
and neighbors. 

On the approach of the Federal Army three days 
later, Eld. Kline was released, and friends were ready 
to assist him to his home. 

Ill 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

The days the Brethren were in captivity were mem- 
orable to the church in Virginia. As one man they 
arose in behalf of the prisoners. Those in Harrison- 
burg were repeatedly visited by the membership near 
at hand. In these visits provisions were brought to 




Elder Benjamin Miller. 
See Biography, Chapter X. 

break the monotony of the prison fare. Those in 
Richmond were not so fortunate in having the mem- 
bers near to them, but they were not forgotten. As 
previously stated, B. F. Byerly and Christian Kline 
were sent to Richmond to intercede for them, and se- 
cured their release. 

112 



OPPRESSION 

The Brethren imprisoned in Harrisonburg were 
released under the provisions of the same act that 
gave those in Richmond their Hberty. In order to 
raise the necessary amount of money, the different 
churches appointed receivers to take contributions 
for this purpose. Eld. Benjamin IMiller, who now 
resides with his son Samuel, four miles north of Har- 
risonburg, was one of the number appointed. Eld. 
]\Iiller in speaking of this experience says, " The lib- 
erality of the Brethren was remarkable. Within a 
short time thousands of dollars were placed in my 
hands to secure their release, but the authorities 
were not ready to receive the fines when it was first 
offered to them. The cause of this I do not know." 

Their return from captivity was the occasion of 
much rejoicing, although their liberty was dearly 
bought by high fines. Yet it meant more to the 
church than simply their return. The exemption 
law meant the possible freedom of others as well. 
This however was but very short-lived. Before they 
were beyond the shadow of the prison walls " the 
Confederate Congress passed conscription laws levy- 
ing on all persons between the ages of eighteen and 
forty-five years." This act was passed April 16, 1862, 
and shortly after the return of the Brethren it was 
being executed, regardless of the Exemption Act passed 
by the Virginia Legislature on March 29 prior. 
This subjected them again to the same influences and 
as Eld. B. F. Moomaw says in his Memoirs, Olive 
Branch of Peace, p. 57, " Later the conscript law 
was passed by the Confederate Congress. Then we 
had a repetition of the same work in part, to get Con- 

113 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

gress to recognize the exemption law as passed by 
the State Legislature." 

The records indicate that this exemption was more 
difficult to secure than that from the Legislature. On 
April 21, 1862, there was an exemption passed by the 




Col. John B. Baldwin, Who TVas 

the Great Advocate for the 

Brethren in Halls of 

Confederate Congress. 



Confederate Congress. In this, however, no one was 
relieved from military duty on religious grounds, but 
ministers of religion in the regular discharge of min- 
isterial duties. As a natural consequence, the pass- 
age of this made it more difficult to procure the enact- 
114 



OPPRESSION 

ment of additional exemption. However, the Breth- 
ren set about with much energy to secure it. 

Eld. John Kline again took his pen in behalf of the 
Brethren. Among others he wrote the following let- 
ter to Col. John B. Baldwin, who was a member of 
Congress : 

Bowman's Mill, Rockingham County, Virginia. 

July 23, 1862. 
Much esteemed friend Col. John Baldwin : 

I seat myself in behalf of my Brotherhood, the 
German Baptists, so-called Tunkers, to drop a few 
lines in order to give you a correct view of our faith 
toward our God, and, in consequence of that, our un- 
pleasant standing in and under our government which 
we now live. 

As there is now a session of Congress of the Con- 
federate States on hand of which you are a member 
and the special representative of our immediate dis- 
trict, I wish to enlist you to advocate our cause in that 
body. I wish to be short as possible. I will, there- 
fore, at once inform you that we are a noncombatant 
people. We believe most conscientiously that it is the 
doctrine taught by our Lord in the New Testament 
which we feel bound to obey. Having made in our 
conversion a most solemn vow to be faithful to God 
in all his commandments, it is and should be regarded 
by us as the first in importance and above all made by 
man to man or to earthly government. Hence we feel 
rather to suffer persecution, bonds, and if need be 
death than break the vow made to our God. 

Yet, as touching things and obligations, which in 
our view do not come in conflict with the law of God, 
in w^hatever way our government may demand of us 
we feel always ready and willing to do. Such as pav- 
ing our dues and taxes imposed upon us and assisting 
in internal improvements, our profession binds us to 

115 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

do. Paying unto the government that which is due 
it, but that which is due to God we wish to give to 
him. Through his Son and the apostles, he says " rec- 
ompense to no man evil for evil." To him we feel to 
render obedience and therefore are bound not to take 
up carnal weapons to destroy our fellow man whom 
he teaches us to love. 

We have noticed that those who have been made 
prisoners and paroled, their oath is regarded by the 
government. They are let alone and no one presses 
them into the army. This obligation is only made to 
man. Why then should not that solemn obligation be 
regarded by our government, which we have made to 
our God without any earthly interest whatever? Why 
not leave that class of men at their homes who can 
not, for conscience sake, make soldiers to kill others, 
that they may make provisions for the sustenance of 
life, which is as necessary to any government as 
soldiers ? 

It seems that the late Conscript law made by the 
Confederate Congress, whether so intended or not, is 
made use of to overrule or nullify our state law. This 
law was made by our State Legislature to exempt us 
from military dut}^ provided each one pays a tax of 
$500 and two per cent on all taxable property. This, 
though as oppressive as it is, wx were willing to pay, 
hard as it went with some. Now as we are informed 
through the above cited conscript act of Congress, we 
are again to be troubled. Our rights given to us by 
our kind legislature, for which privilege we have paid 
so dearly, is to be made null and void. 

Please use all your powers and influence in behalf 
of us, so that the Conscript law or all other Con- 
federate laws be so constructed that Christian con- 
science be so protected that the south shall not be 
polluted with a bloody persecution. 

We as a people try to be as little burdensome to the 
government as possible. We believe that all the pre- 

116 



OPPRESSION 

cepts and ordinances of our Lord should be equally 
regarded and should be practically obeyed according 
as given to us by the Master. We believe it to be our 
duty, but of love, to contribute to the poor and needy, 
and consequently we maintain our poor members and 
let none of them become dependent upon the country 
parish. Yet we pay our parish levy as all other citi- 
zens. These are some of our tenets given in general 
terms. In brief, we take the New Testament for our 
guide and Jesus Christ the man of our religious faith. 
Please give this, our request, a candid consideration. 
At least so much as to write to me your opinion. If 
we can not get protection of our Christian liberty in 
the south, the home of our nativity, we will be com- 
pelled to seek shelter in some other place, or suffer 
bonds and persecutions as did many of our forefathers. 
For we can not take up carnal weapons of warfare 
and fight our fellow man to kill him. 

Yours with highest esteem, 

John Kline. 

This letter no doubt was written at the instance of 
the church or at least at the request of some of the 
Brethren, as indicated by the language used. Al- 
though a number of the Brethren had been impris- 
oned, including the writer, no mention is made of 
it in the letter. The arguments used were convinc- 
ing and if anything was lacking in real sympathy 
on the part of Mr. Baldwin for the church, all was 
now removed. He wrote Eld. Kline and suggested 
that a petition be gotten up to present to Congress. 
Bro. Kline drew a petition that included the Brethren 
and Mennonite churches. The petition as it appears 
in the congressional print is as in the handwriting of 
Eld. Kline, with but slight changes. It reads as fol- 
lows : 

117 



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Petition to the Confederate Congress by the Brethren of Virginia, In 
the Handwriting of Elder John Kline. 



OPPRESSION 

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the 

Confederate States of America: 

The undersigned members of the Tunker and Men- 
nonite Churches in the State of Virginia, respectfully 
and humbly represent, That at the late Session of the 
State Legislature of Virginia, That Body passed a law- 
Exempting from military duty, the members of our 
Churches, upon "each member paying the sum of $500 
and 2 per cent upon all his taxable Estate. This ex- 
emption was based upon the long established Creed or 
faith of our churches, against bearing arms. This 
doctrine is coequal with the foundation of our 
Churches, and is we think and feel, the Command of 
God. While we know there is a strong popular feel- 
ing against such doctrine, yet it is none the less dear 
and sacred to us who believe it. The question which 
we present to you, is not one of persuasion in favor 
of our peculiar doctrine, but a prayer, that you may 
Exercise that same charity and respect for our opin- 
ions, and faith, that we so freely accord to others. 
There are many forms of religious creeds, and various 
are the doctrines of Religious faith ; but there is no 
Arbiter on earth. God alone is to judge. But there 
is a coincidence in civilized society in its universal 
respect for the conscientious convictions of all Chris- 
tian Churches. With this feeling, and in this spirit, 
we appeal to you, to pass a law, ratifying" the act of 
the Legislature of Virginia, on this subject. 

It may not be amiss to state here, that under the 
excitement of the hour, indiscreet, and inconsiderate 
persons have preferred the charge of disloyalty against 
our Churches. This charge has not the semblance of 
truth, in fact, and has doubtless originated from our 
faith against bearing arms. We would further state, 
that those of our members embraced in said act of the 
General Assembly of Va. have already paid the penalty 
of $500 and 2 per cent to the officers of the State, and 
thus fulfilled our contract, and have complied with the 

119 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 



law. We only ask Congress so far to respect our 
Rights, our Consciences, and the Act of the State of 
Virginia, as to Ratify the same, and we will ever pray. 



Signatures of 
Males. 



Signatures of 
Females. 



Signatures of 
Non-members. 

We, the under- 
signed of this 
Column, not be- 
ing members of 
the above 
Churches, yet 
pray Congress to 
hear the above 
petition, and re- 
spect the laws of 
the State of Vir- 
ginia and State 
Rights. 



These petitions were entrusted to the hands of Col. 
Baldwin. 

Also in the counties of Botetourt, Roanoke, and 
Franklin, the church was equally alive to its inter- 
ests. Elders B. F. Moomaw and Jonas Graybill, after 
securing more than one hundred signatures to a pe- 
tition, went to Christiansburg and through George 
Baylor presented it to Hon. B. F. Anderson with the 
request that he, as a member of the Confederate Con- 
gress, do all he can to have an exemption law passed. 
As a consequence of this and other influences, there 
was a general exemption law passed by the Confed- 
erate Congress on October 11, styled AN ACT TO 
EXEMPT PERSONS FROM MILITARY DUTY, 
REPEALING AN ACT TO EXEMPT CERTAIN 
PERSONS FROM ENROLLMENT FOR SERV- 
ICE TO THE ARMY OF THE CONFEDERATE 
STATES, approved the 21st day of April, 1862. 
120 



EXEMPTION ACTS PASSED 

The section of the act mentioned above, which re- 
lieved persons from military service on religious 
grounds, was copied verbatim from the Statutes at 
Large of the Provisional Government of the Con- 
federate States of America, by Eld. Albert Hol- 
linger, which is here given: 

" Every minister of religion authorized to preach 
according to the rules of his sect and in the regular 
discharge of ministerial duties and all persons who 
have been and now are members of the Society of 
Friends and the Association of Dunkards, Nazarenes, 
and Mennonites in regular membership in their re- 
spective denominations, provided members of the 
society of Friends, Nazarenes, Mennonites, and Dunk- 
ards shall furnish substitutes or pay a tax of $500 each 
into the public treasury." 

Of this act, the Rockingham Register, Harrison- 
burg, Virginia, in the issue of October 17, 1862, says: 
" While it is more carefully drawn up than the ex- 
emption of April 21st, it contains liberal provision 
and wise discrimination well calculated to secure its 
popularity of all classes of citizens." No doubt this 
was true of the many classes that were included in 
it, and for the church it eliminated the additional 
two per cent on taxable property. Yet, it was still 
quite a hardship for the church, as many poor Breth- 
ren were unable to pay. This deficiency the wealthier 
made good for them. In addition to this, some of 
the Brethren had made payment to the State and the 
quartermaster was trying to collect a second payment, 
or force them into the army. On November 17 Eld. 
Kline wrote him very plainly, calling his attention to 

121 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

his unreasonable demand. The fohowing extract is 
taken from this letter : 

" I take this opportunity to write you concerning 
a letter that I saw yesterday from your hand to Mr. 
Andes, on the subject of fines imposed on our Breth- 
ren in order for them to be exempted from military 
duty. There seems to be something wrong. Why 
press those who haye paid to the State? Cannot the 
Confederate Goyernment as well indulge the State 
until she will pay it oyer as the indiyidual who paid? 
Why trouble and harass those who haye paid their 
fines and haye their certificates from the sherifif? Or, 
why trouble eyen those of our members who haye not 
yet paid and are desirous to pay as soon as they can? 
Eyen before the goyernment has designated a proper 
person to receiye the fines this has been done by the 
scouts. It seems to me you could saye yourself and 
us a great deal of trouble by telling the scouts not to 
bother those who could establish their membership 
by one or two neighbors or members until the proper 
arrangements are made. \Mien that is made by the 
goyernment, the State may be ready to refund and 
we may haye the necessary arrangement to meet the 
difficulty. There are many who are not able to pay 
their heavy fines. Others haye to make this up and 
it is not done in a few hours or eyen days. All we 
ask is to haye a little time and to be let alone for a 
while. Why this running the people who haye by law 
been exempt, the distance of from two to twenty-fiye 
miles to Harrisonburg and again to a justice to certify 
to that which eyery one knows to be true ? " 

Before the close of the year the goyernment desig- 
122 



EXEMPTION ACTS PASSED 

nated persons to receive the fines, and the Brethren, 
on their part, raised the necessary money to pay them. 
This was the cause of a deep feehng of gratitude 
throughout the churches in Virginia. In the full be- 
lief that this deliverance was from the hand of God, 
they felt to honor His name. Therefore the Brethren 
in Botetourt County designated January 1, 1863, as a 
day of thanksgiving. They likewise desired that all 
the churches unite in their respective places of wor- 
ship. To this end. Eld. B. F. Moomaw wrote Eld. 
John Kline the letter here given : 

Botetourt City, Virginia. 
Dear Bro. John Kline: December 16, 1862. 

You may be surprised at my writing to you so soon 
again. The object is to inform you that the brethren 
here seem to be so deeply convicted of the duty resting 
upon them of making a public manifestation of their 
gratitude to God for his special providence in so over- 
ruling the hearts of the late Congress of the Con- 
federate States of America, as to release us from mil- 
itary service. While we agree with those brethren 
who say that the heart of every brother and sister 
should be drawn out in secret to God, yet we think, 
inasmuch as it was a public exhibition of his special 
providence, we should make a public demonstration of 
our gratitude. We have, therefore, set apart New 
Year's Day as the time to attend to this duty and 
heartily invite all those churches that feel so disposed 
to cooperate with us. You will please, after you read 
this, pass it to the Shenandoah Brethren. 

I will here inform you that our military authorities 
are so construing the exemption bill as to deprive 
those few brethren that are in the army under the 
conscript act, from its benefit. I have just written to 
the Secretary of War upon the subject. If his answer 

123 





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Letter from Church in Botetourt County, Calling for General Thanks- 
giving on Account of the Passage of Exemption Act by 
Congress. Written by B. F. Moomaw. 



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\ 



EXEMPTION ACTS PASSED 

is unfavorable, I will petition congress for an amend- 
ment, as soon as it convenes. 

The cause of the Lord is still onward. We re- 
ceived five members by baptism last Sunday. We are 
tolerably well. Thank God for his mercy ! May you 
be sharing like blessings. Yours in Christ, 

B. F. Moomaw. 

In accord with this request, an appointment was 
made at the Linville Creek church and that all the 
members might be fully free to take part in this serv- 
ice, the Brethren of the Linville Creek congregation 
through Eld. John Kline on December 30 paid the 
fines of a number of Brethren, which represented a 
sum equal to $9,000. Eld. Daniel Hays in " Olive 
Branch of Peace," page 226, in the following manner 
refers to the payment of these fines : 

In his memorandum book of 1862-3, Brother Kline 
records the names of those who paid the military fine 
in Linville Creek congregation, giving the amount re- 
ceived and the amount paid by him in each case ; and 
where the am.ount received did not equal $500, he ad- 
vanced the difference, or borrowed the money and 
squared the account agreeably to the following entry: 

December 30th, 1862. 
I paid to Mr. Woodward, the Receiver of fines, $500 
for each of the following persons : 

Harvey Fifer George W. Ritchie 

Philip Baker William Ford 

Samuel R. Wine George Rodecap 

Adam Ritchie John A. White 

George Smith Adam Andes 

James W. Fitzwater John B. Kline 

William Spitzer Isaac Kline 

Henry W. Moyers George Kline 

Jacob Fitzwater Samuel Kagey 

125 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

From personal knowledge, I can state that a num- 
ber of these Brethren were unable to pay the amount 
levied upon them or any considerable part of it. In 
such case the amount was furnished by individual 
members or the church at large. As Eld. Hays says, 
in some instances Brother Kline furnished the de- 
ficiency by his own liberal hand. 



126 



CHAPTER VII. 

War Period, Continued — Annual Meeting for Southern 

Churches in Botetourt and Franklin Counties — 

Eld. John Kline Killed. 

Two years of the dreadful war had now passed and 
the prospects of the new year betokened its continu- 
ance with increased fury. Human blood now flowed 
as it never did before on American soil, and our once 
united and happy nation was passing through a death 
struggle with the spirit of secession. Each antago- 
nist was striving with renewed energy to strengthen 
h'3 army for future conflicts. 

During this time the church in Virginia passed 
through a series of experiences as related in the pre- 
ceding chapter, the like of which, possibly, had never 
befallen a people. In all this the Lord had sustained 
them with a never-failing hand and it was to Him 
that they turned with truly grateful hearts for His 
manifold deliverance. In response to this feeling, 
and in accordance with the appointment previously 
mentioned, the Brethren throughout the Virginia 
churches assembled on Thursday, January 1, 1863, at 
their respective places of worship to render unto the 
Lord thanksgiving and praise for His remembrance 
of them 'when so sorely tried. At the Linville Creek 
church, the assemblage was addressed by Eld. Kline. 
He said : 

I have somewhere read that in the reign of one of 

127 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

the sovereigns of Great Britain, when the outlook of 
the kingdom was very dark and threatening, one of 
the king's advisers proposed appointing a day for 
pubHc thanksgiving in all the churches throughout the 
realm. The king answered the proposition by saying 
that he could see nothing for which either he or the 
nation had cause for special thanksgiving to God. The 
minister responded by saying that the king and the 
nation both had great cause to thank God that things 
zvere no zvorse. The king yielded and the day was 
set. The Christian people assembled ; the preachers 
recounted the blessings still left in the nation's store, 
with the rich promises of God to provide for the 
future as things shoiUd be needed, and there was a 
day of thanksgiving in England the like of which is 
not often seen. 

It has been my experience. Brethren, and I think I 
have heard some of you say the same, that prosperity 
does not always make people most truly thankful. 
Great success in business is apt to foster a feeling 
of independence. i\Ien may forget God. It was in 
the days of Israel's prosperity in the goodly land of 
Goshen in Egypt that they forgot the name of the God 
of their fathers. When God appeared to Aloses in 
Horeb, he had to tell him from out the burning bush 
what his name was, and also by what name he should 
make him to be known to his brethren in Egypt. Some 
of the deepest heartfelt expressions of gratitude break 
forth in times of misfortune. A brother once told me 
that he was away from home when his barn was 
struck with lightning and burned to the ground. At 
his return he beheld nothing but the smoking de- 
struction of his gathered harvest. But when his 
children came running to meet him, and he saw them 
all safe, and their mother standing in the door un- 
harmed, he burst into an expression of thanksgiving, 
which, he confessed to me, surpassed every other 
emotion of joy he had ever felt. Our best experiences 

128 



WAR PERIOD CONTINUED 

come to us when we are made to realize properly the 
good that is still left us. 

We must look upon our exemption from army serv- 
ice as one proof of those interpositions in behalf of his 
children which our heavenly Father has promised, and 
which he is constantly fulfilling. *' The effectual 
fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." 
God has not called us to prayer in vain. He invites 
us to come boldly to a throne of grace. Does he do 
this otherwise than with a will to hear? And the 
apostle's exhortation is : " In every thing give thanks," 
for " all things work together for good to them that 
love God." 

Let our offerings this day be from the heart; and 
probably the best proof we can have that they come 
from the heart is a willingness and cheerful readiness 
to give of our substance to the needy poor. We must 
divide out. Brethren, to those who have, on account 
of the war pressure, been unable to provide for them- 
selves. Think of the barefooted, half-clad and half- 
fed children in our land ! I do not undervalue what 
you have already done. I know you have done much ; 
but we should not feel that the burden of duty has 
all rolled from our shoulders so long as there is one 
needy brother or sister or child in our land. Brethren, 
I speak from my heart when I say that the church has 
never before enjoyed such an opportunity to grow 
rich, as the present offers. I mean rich in good works ; 
rich in treasures laid up in heaven ; rich in her title 
to an eternal inheritance in heaven, which our Lord 
calls '' the true riches." — Life of John Kline. Page 
459.) 

This discourse, in the style of the true leader, on 
the one hand directed the minds of his auditors to 
reasons for thankfulness while on the other the 
speaker pointed out duties not yet fully performed. 
At some places, the author is credibly informed, the 

129 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

services continued all day. Part of the time was given 
to the thanksgiving service while the rest of the day 
was devoted to supplication and prayer in behalf of 
the Brethren yet held by the authorities. 

The reader readily recalls that statement in Eld. 
Moomaw's letter which refers to such conditions ex- 
isting in his part of the State. Likewise, in various 
communities, every pretext was used by the authori- 
ties to hold the Brethren. Bro. Henry Davis, whose 
home was near Broadway, was held on the pretext 
that he joined the church the same day that the Ex- 
emption Act was passed. Believing in his right to 
protection under its provision, he returned to his 
home but was carried back to the army again by the 
scouts. Therefore he threw himself liable to a trial 
by court-martial. In a letter to his wife under date 
of March 14, 1863, he acknowledges to her that it is 
likely that he will be court-martialed, but bravely ex- 
presses no fear whatever as to the result. Yet he 
adds, " My captain is an extremely contrary man and 
I think it is the hardest place on earth to get justice." 
He requested her to get one of the Brethren to inter- 
cede for him by writing to the Secretary of War. 
Bro. Davis was released from the army but, with 
his son, who had become old enough for enlist- 
ment, fled from the country and remained away 
until the close of the war. 

Very near the entire summer there was that con- 
stant annoyance by petty officials and scouts. On 
July 18, 1863, the Confederate Congress passed a 
second conscript law, levying a draft on all males be- 
. 130 



WAR PERIOD CONTINUED 

tween the ages of eighteen and forty-five. By this 
time, however, the Brethren had more certainly 
learned their rights. Although at times much threat- 
ened, they had no fear of contending for them. Bro. 
Moomaw, in writing Eld. KHne, August 31, 1863, 
refers at some length to an experience he had in 




Elder Harden P. Hylton. 
See Biography, Chapter X. 



Salem v/ith a quartermaster. He said : " The Breth- 
ren in Roanoke have been until lately much annoyed 
by the quartermaster in that county, refusing to allow 
them the benefit of the exemption. At length, how- 
ever, I reported him to President Davis. He sent the 
case to the Secretary of War. He ordered him (the 
quartermaster) to report to Richmond and give an 
account of his conduct. I afterward met him in Sa- 

131 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

lem, when he made a furious assault on me, cursing 
end threatening violently. I calmly told him I dis- 
regarded him ; dispised his threats ; that he must un- 
derstand that he could not intimidate me and when 
he interferes with our rights I will attend to him. 
Since that time the Brethren have been unmolested." 

The heroic stand taken by the Brethren in every 
section had a salutary effect for a time. This gave 
to them a greater opportunity for the advancement of 
the cause of Christ. Their visits to the different sec- 
tions to see the members and preach the Word were 
renewed as of old. However, they were attended 
with much danger. 

During this short interval the welfare of the church 
throughout the South appealed very closely to them. 
The privilege of attending Annual Conference had 
been taken from them by the continuation of the 
v/ar and the future was uncertain. They, therefore, 
concluded among themselves that it was to the best 
interest of the church to hold their general council 
meetings or annual council meetings with a broader 
purpose in view, as previously defined by the commit- 
tee of 1859. They therefore decided to conduct it as 
the Annual Meeting was conducted and discuss matters 
of general doctrine. The first one of this kind was 
held in April, 1863. For reasons urgently demanding 
his professional service Eld. Kline could not attend 
although he was requested to do so. However, he 
received the following communication from Eld. B. 
F. Moomaw, giving an account of the meeting: 



132 



WAR PERIOD CONTINUED 

Botetourt City, Virginia. 

May 1, 1863. 
J\luch Beloved Brother in the Lord: 

According to promise, I this evening seat myself 
to write a few lines to you. And first I will inform you 
that by the kind providence of God, I arrived safely 
at home on Thursday evening after I parted from you 
at Harrisonburg. Found my family and also the 
brethren wxll for which I thank our heavenly Father. 
On the next day pursuant to appointment, we met the 
brethren in council meeting. The surrounding 
churches were generally represented, including the 
churches in Washington County, Tennessee, and I had 
to regret that the churches generally were not more 
extensively represented. We had truly a fine meet- 
ing. The two days set apart for council were entirely 
consumed in discussing Scriptural and doctrinal ques- 
tions. And while we had animated debates on several 
subjects, entire harmony and love marked the whole 
meeting. So much so that the brethren assembled 
unanimously agreed that we of the South would (God 
willing) hold annually a general meeting of the kind. 
So long at least, as we were deprived of the privilege 
of holding general conference with the brotherhood 
at large. For the furtherance of this object. Breth- 
ren D. Thomas, A. Naff, D. B. KHpper, and myself 
were appointed a corresponding committee to arrange 
the time and place for the meeting next year, which 
I think probably the brethren in Franklin County will 
take. We had preaching each night at several places 
and also on Lord's day. 

The question concerning putting members in bond 
occupied a considerable portion of the first day, dis- 
cussed freely pro and con and decided that the exhor- 
tation of Paul to the Corinthian Church was a law with 
its penalties defined and still so stands to the church. 
Another question as to how long a gross offender 
should be kept separated was decided, until the honor 

133 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

of the church is vindicated ; he gives satisfactory evi- 
dence of contrition and humiUation to all and redeems 
his christian character by an exemplary life. As to 
publishing hymn books, it was decided as you sug- 
gested. I hope that you may at an early day be able 
to procure a copy that we may get a supply printed. 
They are much needed. 

Another question, whether the one baptism spoken 
of by Paul (Ephesians, 4th chapter) was the baptism 
of water or of the spirit. There was no decision 
formally called for, but I think it was decided in the 
mind of the church, as being that of water.'^ 

The spirit manifest was most noble. The welfare 
of the church in the South could not be neglected for 
a lack of the privilege of attending General Confer- 
ences. Yet it was plainly understood that this should 
only continue until the close of the war. 

While the church was thus engaged, other events 
were transpiring that threatened their liberties. The 
Secretary of War stood firmly by the Exemption Act 
of October 11, 1862, and the Brethren were success- 
ful in their appeals to him. But the fall of Vicks- 
burg and the general encroachment of the Union 
Army from the west, together with the defeat of 
Lee's army at Gettysburg and its retreat to Virginia 
soil, caused no little consternation. The governor 
called an extra session of the Legislature in the main 
for the creation of a Home Guard. 

In his message to the Assembly he gave various 
recommendations. Among these was the abrogation 
of the Exemption Act on religious grounds. Such 
repeal would have been a repetition of their experi- 
ences of the year previous. Most likely it would have 

134 



WAR PERIOD CONTINUED 

been more awful in its consequences. The Brethren, 
however, did not fail to realize the importance of 
prompt action on their part. The different churches 
conferred with each other as to what was best to do. 
Eld. Kline, on August 13, addressed a letter to 
the churches in Botetourt and Roanoke, through 
Brother B. F. Moomaw, calling attention to the 
message of the Governor, stating that " it is fraught 
with mischievous designs toward the Brethren." On 
September 2, Eld. Aloomaw wrote the following 
epistle, which is given verbatim and in full : 

Botetourt City, Virginia. 

September 2, 1863. 
Much Esteemed Brother: 

Yours of the 13th ult. was duly received, which 
like all such communications from brethren, was like 
a calm to our troubled souls, for there is nothing in 
these times of sorrow to make the heart glad except 
our spiritual associations and those messages of love 
from brethren whose spirits are congenial with our 
own. You speak of the Governor's message to the 
Legislature as being fraught with mischievious design 
toward the brethren. You and I discover from the 
expressions of some of the members of that body that 
they are fully prepared to carry out his inhuman recom- 
mendation, and thus inaugurate a system of persecu- 
tion, the like of which is only known to the dark ages 
of the religious world. But this measure is not passed 
yet from latest accounts and I still hope in the kind- 
ness of an overruling providence who has hitherto so 
signally protected his people, and if it be the will of 
God that we should be protected, he will still find in- 
struments in the councils of the country to disappoint 
the intention of our enemies. I hope that there are 
still enough who cherish the blessings of religious 

135 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

freedom to control the final action of the Legislature. 
May God in his mercy so order it. 

But the question that I would ask is if the Legis- 
lature be so lost to every sense of Christianity as to re- 
quire our brethren to go into the army, what is to be 
done? I will here give you the reflections of my own 




Elder Samuel Driver. 
See Biography, Chapter IX. 

mind upon the subject and await an answer. We have 
in every case complied with the requirements of the 
government, because we could do so without a de- 
parture from our principles, but if they now require 
us to go into the army without any alleviation, what 
shall we do? What can we do? Shall we not unan- 
imously petition for permission to leave the country 
with, or without our property? 

136 



WAR PERIOD CONTINUED 

I forgot to say to you in the proper place that I 
think that our friend, J. T. Anderson of Botetourt, is 
chairman of the Committee on Mihtary Affairs, if so 
I hope that he will exert a salutary influence in our 
favor. 

I suppose you have before now heard of the melan- 
choly death of poor John A. Bowman of Tennessee. 
He was killed in his own stable some three weeks ago 
under the following circumstances. A man was dis- 
covered about to take his riding horse. He approached 
toward him and when coming pretty near, the man 
ordered him not to approach but John still advanced 
expostulating with him and finally took hold of the 
horse when he shot him through the abdomen and 
then clave his skull with the butt of his gun. So ends 
his eventful life and it is thought will end his church. 

It was not convenient for me to attend your meet- 
ings as proposed. You doubtless have seen my son, 
Daniel. I forgot to send by him for the minutes but 
I hope you have sent them by him. 

It is likely that business will call me to Rockingham 
shortly, if so I will hope to see you and spend some 
time in your company. 

There has been, and still is a number of Refugees 
in the county from East Tennessee. But the Federals 
are falling back towards Knoxville and some of the 
refugees are going back. I see in the minutes of the 
Yearly INIeeting that there is a committee appointed 
for the Shenandoah Church. What is wrong there? 
Where are the picket lines now and what the chances 
for passing? 

This leaves myself and family well. Thank God 
for his mercies! Brethren M. Graybill and Jonas 
Graybill have both been very sick with fever and in- 
deed are yet in doubtful condition. The rest of the 
brethren are well as far as known by me. 

B. F. Moomaw. 
137 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

The correspondence at this juncture indicates more 
nearly a loss as to what course to pursue than at any 
time previous. 

It should be stated in this place that the Military 
Bill before the Legislature was quite lengthy. It was 
composed of thirty-seven sections and covered twen- 
ty-seven pages. Although, b}^ a vote of that body on 
September 22, it became the order of each day, 
yet it required much time for its consideration. The 
first section provided for calling into military service 
all male citizens, who were not exempt, between the 
ages of sixteen and sixty years of age. To this there 
was a strong opposition on account of the extreme 
ages mentioned. According to the order, the consid- 
eration of the bill, section by section, was begun on 
September 23, and the whole of that day was de- 
voted to the first section without any indication of a 
disposition to vote upon it. This caused some delay, 
but in time the Substitute Bill was repealed. This 
affected many who had hired substitutes and paid 
heavily for them. The Exemption Law was also 
sorely threatened. 

At this time the church resolved to make a formal 
request to the Government for permission to leave the 
State if no exemption would be allowed them. B. F. 
Moomaw and B. F. Byerly were appointed to go to 
Richmond in behalf of the church. Bro. Byerly had 
been on a similar mission in April, 1862. He was an 
eloquent speaker and convincing in his argument. 
Therefore, he was a strong assistant in presenting 
the claims of the church. Of their appointment and 
their intention of going. Eld. Moomaw wrote Bro. 
138 



WAR PERIOD CONTINUED 

Kline. This letter, which is also given beca^ise of 
its general interest, reads 'as follows: 

Botetourt City, Virginia. 

December 27, 1863. 
Much Beloved Brother: 

Through the mercy and grace of God, our kind and 
heavenly Father, myself and family and the brethren 
generally are well for which we return our grateful 
thanks for his unmerited favor, and hope that when 
this comes to hand it may find you enjoying the same 
blessing. The object of my writing at this time is 
to inform you that by the appointment of the brethren, 
Bro. B. F. Byerly and myself intend, God willing, to 
start to Richmond tomorrow to try to cooperate with 
those friendly to our cause to make some arrangements 
to help our brethren out of the military service. We 
intend to present before the authorities the manner 
that we have lived, as loyal citizens complying with 
every requirement of the law ; paying our commuta- 
tion, our tax in kind ; what we have done for the 
destitute and suffering soldiers and the quantity of 
produce that we are making, according to the number 
of hands employed, etc., giving some instances. Such, 
for example, as this : one farm employing one sub- 
stitute, one exempt on religious grounds, and their 
boys, has listed to the commissioner 1100 bu. of wheat, 
1200 bu. of corn, 200 bu. of oats, 100 bu. of potatoes, 
4500 lbs. of pork, 4500 lbs. of beef, etc. If nothing 
can be done in this we are authorized to request a 
peaceable passport out of the country, constantly aver- 
ring that we cannot nor will we fight. If you have 
any thing that you think will favor the cause or wish 
to^ communicate with me, 3^ou can address me at 
Richmond. I should be glad to hear from you. 

We held an election yesterdav for two ministers. 
The lot fell upon Bro. Jonas Graybill and John C. 
Moomaw. While we are thus engaged, be engaged 

139 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

yourself and exhort the brethren to be engaged with 
the Lord for us, that we may still lead a quiet and 
peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty. 

In haste, yours in the bonds of the Gospel. 

John Kline. Benj. F. ]\Ioomaw. 

In addition to the Governor's recommendation to 
the Legislature, the Congress w^as showing a dispo- 
sition to repeal various parts of this Exemption Law. 
More especially was this true of the privilege granted 
to persons who had secured substitutes. Finally, on 
December 30, this law was annulled and all who 
had hired substitutes were therefore subject to mili- 
tary duty. However, the Exemption Act, on religious 
grounds, was not repealed. 

On his return from Richmond, January 1, 1864, 
Eld. ]Moomaw wrote at some length concerning his 
recent trip. In this he was not altogether compli- 
mentary, as to the condition of things there. How- 
ever, he gave expression of much praise to the Lord 
for the remembrance of His people. He referred to 
a conversation he had with Col. John B. Baldwin and 
Gen. Sparrow. The former, especially, pledged his 
support on behalf of the Brethren. He also made 
mention of Alessrs. Staples, Goode and Anderson, as 
being favorable to maintaining the exemption on re- 
ligious grounds. 

Yet, in the ever-increasing straitened condition 
of the Confederacy, efforts were made by the general 
government to secure recruits from every available 
source, and exemptions from time to time were nar- 
rowed down to a very close margin. An effort was 
made to have the draft include all ages from sixteen 
140 



WAR PERIOD CONTINUED 

years to sixty, and at the same time a movement 
sorely threatened the law under which the Brethren 
secured their liberty. Despite the assurance given 
by Eld. Moomaw on his return from Richmond, this 
new effort, to repeal the exemption on religious 
grounds, caused no little alarm. 

Again Eld. Kline took his pen in defense of the 
church. He wrote various members of Congress con- 
cerning the threatening danger. However, a letter 
received from Col. Baldwin on January 28 gave a 
forecast of the sentiment of Congress. This, he de- 
clared, was favorable to the exemption, as it stands. 
About a fortnight later^ a letter was received from 
Judge John T. Harris, who was a member of Con- 
gress. i\Ir. Harris, in concluding his remarks on 
this subject, said, " The exemption on religious 
grounds stands firm in Congress." The information 
thus received, besides other assurances, caused much 
thanksgiving among the churches. One writer gave 
expression to his gratitude in the following words : 
" God has again blessed His people. We are still 
permitted to enjoy religious freedom. Alay all His 
children praise Him and all be humbly thankful for 
this signal favor." In response to this gratitude for 
God's continued protection, as stated in the corre- 
spondence, " Saturday before Easter is set apart as a 
day for general thanksgiving unto God for His over- 
ruling hand in the late Congress, in assuring us con- 
tinued religious liberty." 

It is generally conceded that this was the last at- 
tack on the liberty, which was so highly prized by 
the church. However, lawlessness was on the in- 

141 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

crease, and the Brethren were subjected to many 
indignities by men of the " lewder sort." These were 
meekly borne, and with the consciousness of doing 
God's will, happiness was their lot, though fraught 
with trials. 

The time was fast approaching for the meeting to 
convene in Franklin, as agreed upon the year pre- 
vious. On February 21, Eld. B. F. Moomaw, a cor- 
responding secretary, wrote to the churches in Rock- 
ingham concerning the proposed meeting. Through 
some misunderstanding, an appointment had been 
made at Flat Rock on the same date, April 15 and 16. 
By request, this meeting was changed in order to have 
as full representation at the Franklin general council 
as possible. Eld. Moomaw in a letter under more re- 
cent date, acknowledging this kindness, said, " We 
are thankful to the Brethren for changing their ap- 
pointment and hope that the churches from the lower 
valley will be liberally represented in the general coun- 
cil in Franklin. It is intended as a general council 
meeting for the whole southern arm of the church ; 
it is to be conducted just like the regular Annual 
Meeting and the minutes published. I am sorry that 
Bro. Thomas, as corresponding secretary, did not 
make it known at an earlier date. The Brethren from 
Tennessee promised to be with us." Eld. Moomaw in 
his communication invited the Brethren of Rocking- 
ham to present questions for discussion at the meet- 
ing. Unfortunately, the proceedings of this meeting 
are not now available, but it is known that the advisa- 
bility of laying on of hands in setting apart deacons 
to their office was warmly discussed. Thus for a sec- 
142 



WAR PERIOD CONTINUED 

ond and the last time there was an Annual Meeting 
held for the benefit of the Southern churches while 
isolated from the main part of the Brotherhood. 

Depraved by the continuation of a heartless war 
for so many years and little restricted because of a 
lack of stability of the government, the lawless ele- 
ment of the country ran rife in evil conduct and deeds 
of violence. For this reason, public worship at times 
was abandoned and the church held its devotions 
secretly. Especially was this true of love-feast occa- 
sions. 

The climax of this atrocity seems to have been 
reached when on June 15, 1864, Eld. Kline was shot 
by an assassin hidden in the timber. He had been to 
the blacksmith shop ; had his riding horse, faithful 
Nell, shod ; made a call at a home in response to a 
summons and was returning across a wooded ridge, 
about two miles from his home, when the dastardly 
deed was committed. His death was the result of a 
deeply laid scheme. He had been repeatedly warned 
by his friends, but his noble heart was devoid of fear. 
In response to these warnings, his repeated reply was, 
" They can only kill the body but they can not destroy 
the soul." His death was deeply felt throughout the 
Brotherhood, and much lamented by those who knew 
him best. It was then thought that the church had 
suffered an irreparable loss, but now, as we look back 
through the years that have intervened, we see the 
wisdom of the Lord in permitting his departure 
through the evil designs of these men, after his noble 
work in behalf of his Brethren was done. How fitting: 
that such a life of unselfish devotion should be 

143 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

crowned by a martyr's death, and the doctrines he so 
strongly proclaimed should be sealed with his own 
blood. In truth, though he be dead, yet he speaketh. 
During life he was held in high esteem by men of 
authority in every calling. His benevolence was 
marked ; a feeling of charity was ever extended 
towards the erring, but he rebuked sin in every form. 
Therefore, the evildoer hated him with a bitter hatred. 
On the 17th, a simple but impressive service was held 
at the Linville Creek church by Eld. Jacob Wine, as- 
sisted by others, after w^hich his body was laid to rest 
in the cemetery near at hand. The grave is marked 
by a humble slab, with the simple inscription repro- 
duced below : 




Tombstone of Elder John Kline. 



144 



ELD. JOHN KLINE KILLED 

In sadness, the concourse returned to their homes 
with a desire that the mantle of charity should cover 
the act that took away his useful life. 

A strong illustration of the deplorable condition to 
which Virginia had been brought by the war, lies in 
the fact that no effort was made to punish the perpe- 
trators of the vile crime, although it could easily have 
been ascertained who did the act. 

Shortly after this, the Confederacy received a blow 
in the Valley of Virginia from which it never recov- 
ered. Grant in his campaign before Richmond became 
aware of the amount of supplies the Southern army 
received from there and was annoyed by the raids 
made by the soldiery of that section. He therefore, in 
the beginning of August, summoned an army of 
40,000 men, placed P. H. Sheridan in command, and 
gave him orders to spare nothing in this yet remain- 
ing great storehouse of the Southern Confederacy, 
upon which an army could subsist. The ruinous work 
in the once beautiful and fertile Shenandoah Valley 
but too plainly showed how fearfully the command 
was executed. With torch and axe and sword there 
was nothing left between the Blue Ridge and Alle- 
ghany Mountains worth fighting for. In his report 
he says, " I have destroyed a thousand barns filled 
with wheat, and hay, and farming implements, over 
seventy mills filled with flour and wheat, have driven 
in front of the army over 4,000 head of stock and have 
killed not less than 3,000 sheep. So entire has been 
the destruction that a crow flying across the valley 
must carry its own rations." Possibly there was a bit 
of boasting in this report. The two armies had been 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

so long in the Valley of Virginia, that no one would 
think so many supplies could still remain. But the 
destruction that followed his track of fire and blood 
was most terrible. The Rockingham Register in its 
issue of November 11, 1864, gave an account of the 
losses sustained in Rockingham County alone, which 
was procured by the court appointing a committee 
of thirty-six magistrates and thirty-six reliable citi- 
zens, who visited every part of the county. The re- 
port is represented as having been carefully and accu- 
rately made, which appears as follows : 

Dwelling houses burned 30 

Barns burned 450 

Mills burned 31 

Fencing destroyed (in miles) 100 

Bushels of wheat destroyed 100,000 

Bushels of corn destroyed 50,000 

Tons of hay destroyed 6,233 

Cattle carried off 1,750 

Horses carried off 1,750 

Sheep carried off 4,200 

Hogs carried off 3,350 

Factories burned 3 

Furnaces burned 1 

In addition to this, the report continues, " There 
was an immense amount of farming utensils of every 
description destroyed. Alany of them were of great 
value, such as McCormick reapers and threshing ma- 
chines ; also, household and kitchen furniture, money, 
bonds, plates, etc., etc. The whole loss being estimated 
at the enormous sum of $25,500,000. This estimate is 
in Confederate prices and should be reduced, we think, 

146 



ELD. JOHN KLINE KILLED 

about one fifth, in order to bring it to government 
standard." 

The above report is given chiefly because the 
Brethren were a dominant class among the farmers of 
the county and with their neighbors were reduced to 
poverty. However, this was not, by far, the greatest 
loss sustained. The morals of the country became 
polluted from the very conditions that prevailed and 
the return of young men after years of soldier life 
added a great menace to the purity of the homes. 

Finally, the war practically came to an end by the 
surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse on 
April 9, 1865. Thoroughly glad the desperate strug- 
gle was over, they now had an opportunity to look 
around to see the condition of things. This, as pre- 
viously recorded, was beyond description. On every 
hand Avas desolation. As never before, the widows 
and orphans appealed for help. The Brethren bravely 
joined in every worthy effort to bring order out of 
chaos. During the war they had the courage to suffer 
for the teachings of the Master. Now they followed 
His example in assisting the destitute and suffering 
whenever possible. Throughout the churches in Mr- 
ginia, the same benevolent spirit and generous dispo- 
sition to assist in the betterment of the communities 
at large, was shown. 

A few reasons are not out of place, why the Breth- 
ren needed to suffer so much during the war from a 
people who, as a class, are especially noted for noble- 
ness of spirit. They may be included under three gen- 
eral heads. 

1. Their long opposition to slavery caused them to 

147 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

be classed among the Abolitionists, who were much 
disliked by the slaveholders. 

2. Their uncompromising stand for the Bible 
teaching. Therefore, their refusal to go to war at 
any cost seemed little understood for a time. 

3. The lack of a stable government, together with 
the excited condition of the people during the unequal 
contest, gave the man of evil designs an opportunity 
to execute his hellish schemes. 

Through all of these trials, the Lord brought them 
a united and trustful people. \\^ith this heritage, they 
started anew to conquer in His name. 



148 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Division of State into Districts — First District of Virginia 
— Church Organization. 

In a preceding chapter the general council meetings 
have been traced until their developrhent into the Dis- 
trict Meeting, and the recommendation by Annual 
Meeting, that the States be divided into districts was 
also noticed. However, the war came before this was 
definitely agreed upon by the Virginia churches. 
Therefore, these meetings were held in various parts 
of the State from time to time during the war. 

It has also been seen that the Tennessee and North 
Carolina Brethren united with them in these meetings, 
and especially is this true of the one held with the 
Botetourt church in 1863, and the one with the Frank- 
lin Brethren in 1864, which were virtually Annual 
Meetings for all the Southern churches during their 
isolation from the general Brotherhood. Yet, these 
conferences held during this time had the tendency to 
thoroughly prepare the churches to effect a division 
immediately at the close of the war. The churches in 
Franklin, Botetourt, Roanoke, Floyd, and Montgom- 
ery counties were the first to act, and designated their 
organization the First District of Virginia. As a nat- 
ural consequence, when the churches in the north 
Shenandoah A/'alley effected their organization, they 
designated it the Second District of Virginia. The 
Tennessee churches were likewise organized, but it is 

149 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

not within the province of this volume to notice their 
history. 

At first, the wide intervening territory was a suffi- 
cient Hne between the newly-formed Virginia districts. 
In time, however, it became necessary to have a defi- 
nite line. To this end, a com.mittee was appointed by 
the District Meeting of the Second District, in 1891, 
consisting of Elders Levi Garber, John A. Cline, and 
Levi A. Wenger to meet a like committee from the 
First District. This committee did not complete the 
work until 1893, when their report was accepted by 
the conferences of both districts. By this agreement, 
the James River became the line from its mouth to 
the confluence of the north and the south forks, and 
thence by the North Fork to Lexington. From here 
the line continues by a very indirect course to the 
northern limit of Greenbriar County, from whence it 
extends westward by that line, and on through the 
State of West Virginia. 

New conditions in missionary endeavor in the two 
districts gave rise to a general revision of the division 
line in 1905. By this agreement, although it is not 
yet fully confirmed by the District Meeting of the 
First District, about twenty counties in southeast Vir- 
ginia are transferred from the First District to the 
Second District in exchange for territory in West Vir- 
ginia. The accompanying map of Virginia shows this 
line through the State. 

In order that the development of the church in the 
different parts of the State may be more clearly seen, 
a chapter is separately devoted to each of the two dis- 
tricts. 

150 



FIRST DISTRICT OF- VIRGINIA 

The First District of Virginia is here con- 
sidered. This occupies the southwestern part of 
Virginia, the eastern half of North Carohna, and a 
number of counties in West Virginia. In this large 
territory, the Brethren first made but the three settle- 
ments in Franklin, Botetourt, and Floyd counties men- 
tioned in a preceding chapter. By the time of the organi- 
zation of the district in 1866, there were nine churches 
located in Botetourt, Roanoke, Franklin, Floyd, Mont- 
gomery, Monroe, Fayette, Alleghany, and Fraternity, 
North Carolina. At this time, according to the Dis- 
trict Meeting minutes of 1907, there are forty-one 
church organizations in the district. Of this number, 
thirty-two are in Virginia, seven in West Virginia, 
and two in North Carolina, with a total membership 
according to last census of 3,585. 

The absence of direct early records has made it very 
difficult to trace the development of all these churches 
from the first three settlements, but by the appoint- 
ment of Eld. T. C. Denton by the District Meeting to 
collate data, and the cooperation of well-informed 
Brethren whose names appear in connection with their 
articles, this has been successfully accomplished. 
However, the lack of definite early dates must be ad- 
mitted and is much regretted. 

These writings are given as presented by the 
authors, except in some instances they have been 
abridged. 

The Franklin Brethren. 

By Eld. Daniel Peters. 

[Eld. Daniel Peters was born June 5, 18 — . He married 
Mary Brubaker January 17, 1850; united with the church 

151 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

in 1852; elected deacon in 1859; elected minister in June, 
1872, and shortly after was ordained elder. He traveled 
much in the mission territory of the Franklin church. He 
was among the first ministers to preach in Patrick County, 
which was subsequently turned over to the Floyd Brethren 
on account of its being more convenient. In addition to 
the duties in the home church, he continued to labor in 
the adjoining counties of Henry and Pittsylvania even 
after the loss of his eyesight.] 

The date of the organization of the church in this 
county is not known ; but it must have been before the 
Revolutionary War, for my father, who was born in 
1782, told me that he heard his father say there were 
Brethren here subject to that war. He also said that 
Brethren Jacob ^liller and William Smith were the 
two first ministers. Both were located in the upper 
part of the county. They usually had meetings to- 
gether. Bro. ^filler preached in the German language 
and Bro. Smith in the English. Bro. Smith was a na- 
tive of England. They preached about their homes 
and eastward for twenty miles. The membership at 
this time was small. A dwelling house served the pur- 
pose of a church, even on love-feast occasions. These 
Brethren took their staff in their hands and walked 
ten or twelve miles on Saturday evenings to the place 
of meeting. On Sunday morning at nine o'clock they 
would assemble and spend a while in reading Scrip- 
ture and asking questions. After this the ministers 
would open the meeting and call on a deacon brother 
to lead in prayer. 

The manner of living at that time was quite simple. 
They manufactured their own goods and made their 
own clothing. 

152 



FIRST DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

Isaac Naff was elected to the ministry and later or- 
dained elder. He also spoke the German language. 
The church seeing the necessity of English preaching, 
called Bro. John Bowman to the ministry, who became 
an efficient worker. He was able to speak in both the 
German and English languages with ability. In 
stature he was large and portly, yet very energetic and 
seeming never to tire in the work of the church. He 
traveled extensively and preached in several States. 
He always made the long trips on horseback and at 
his own charge. He was called to preach funerals 
and solemnize marriages long distances from home. 
In this he did more than any minister in the history 
of the Franklin church. 

A man by the name of Jacob Faw in North Caro- 
lina, hearing of him but not knowing his name nor 
postoffice, addressed a letter to Preacher Bowman, 
Rocky Mount, Virginia, the county seat of Franklin. 
After receiving a reply from Bro. Bowman, he came 
to his home on Friday evening and talked with him on 
Saturday concerning the doctrine of the Brethren 
Church. On Sunday morning he went with Bro. 
Bowman to preaching. After services he was bap- 
tized. I was one of the witnesses to this impressive 
scene. After Bro. Faw's baptism he returned to his 
home in North Carolina and soon afterward the Breth- 
ren of this county began preaching there, going two 
or three times a year on horseback. In a short time 
a number of others were baptized. They were soon 
organized into a congregation. At this time Bro. Fav/ 
was called to the ministry and soon thereafter was or- 
dained elder. During his administration and with the 

153 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

assistance of others, the church in North Carolina 
prospered. At the time of his death there were sixty 
or seventy members. It is still prospering under the 
care of Elders C. R. Faw and J. F. Robertson with 
an assistant minister. There are now one hundred and 
fifteen members and two houses of worship. 

After this Abram Nafif and Abram Barnhart were 
called to the ministry and later to the eldership. Eld. 
Naff attended a great many funerals also and often 
accompanied Eld. Bowman on the long preaching 
tours. By this time the membership had so increased 
in Franklin that the communions could no longer be 
held in dwelling houses. They were now held in 
barns and meadows. Therefore it was necessary to 
have a house of worship. One, in size forty by one 
hundred feet, was built in 1848. At this time Isaac 
Naff was an assistant elder with Abram Naff and 
Abram Barnhart in charge of the church. 

In 1870, it was decided to divide the Franklin 
church into three organizations. Two houses of wor- 
ship, Antioch and Bethlehem, were built in 1873, and 
the division was made. Two years ago the Snow 
Creek church was organized with about twenty-five 
members. It is also in Franklin County. With this 
there are four congregations in this county with about 
seven hundred members, and twenty-five ministers, 
eleven of whom are elders. Many members have 
moved to different parts of the West. The churches 
are united in faith and spirit. We have our coopera- 
tion meetings and work together in supplying our 
mission points in Henry and Pittsylvania counties. 
Through the preaching of the Franklin Brethren, a 

154 



FIRST DISTRICT OF MRGIXIA 

church has been organized in Campbell County, with 
Bro. W. I. Hall, a resident elder. Present elders of 
the congregations of the county are : Germantown — 
Abram Barnhart, Henry Ikenberry, and R. L. Peters; 
Bethlehem — Daniel Peters, Daniel Bowman, D. A. 
Xaff , and George Bowman ; Antioch — Riley Flora, 
Isaac Bowman, Samuel Ikenberry, and L. E. Bru- 
baker. 

The church in Franklin owns four meetinghouses 
and the ministers preach at twenty-two different 
points ; the Sunday-school workers conduct four Sun- 
day schools with an enrollment of three hundred and 
three scholars and an average attendance of two hun- 
dred and twentv-five. ' 



The Swan Creek church in Campbell County was the 
outgrowth of mission endeavor of the Franklin minis- 
ters. Chief among these were Daniel Peters and Henry 
Ikenberry. When the church was organized in 1894, 
there were fourteen members. Now there are forty. 
Eld. W. I. Hall has charge of this church at present. 

The time the Brethren first settled in Botetourt 
County can be more definitely fixed than that of 
Franklin County. The following concerning the Bote- 
tourt church is from the pen of Eld. Jonas Graybill. 

[Eld. Graybill was born November 18, 1834, of Graybill, 
Crumpacker, and Kline ancestry. Owing to poor schools, 
long illness, and early death of his father, his education 
was meager. He married Catherine Snider December 18, 
1856; joined the church October 15, 1857; was elected 
minister in 1863 and ordained elder in 1887. Although 
comparatively young, Eld. Graybill took an active part 

155 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

in behalf of the Brethren in time of the war. In company 
with Eld. B. F. Moomaw, he visited Congressman Walter 
A. Staples at Christiansburg and went to see Col. John T. 
Anderson of the Virginia Legislature. In addition to 
serving the Botetourt church, he has been closely identified 
with the Roanoke City church since the Brethren first 
preached in that city. He is now senior elder of the 
Botetourt church.] 

After considerable investigation, I forward the fol- 
lowing with reference to the Botetourt church. Bote- 
tourt County was taken from Augusta County in 1769, 
and in 1780 my great-grandfather, John Graybill, 
came from Berks County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, 
four sons and three daughters. Also in the same year 
a number of Brethren settled at Amsterdam, now 
Daleville. Among the number wxre the Gishes, Kin- 
zies, Snyders, Niningers, Wingers, Lemons, Stoners, 
Bukners, Harshbargers, Am.mons, NofTsingers, Huffs, 
Peters, Rifes, Arnolds, Fishers, Mangus, Moomaws, 
Cronses, Murrys, and Bonsacks. From this to the 
close of the eighteenth century, there were three or 
four ministers here and the church was organized 
during this time. My grandfather Crumpacker vis- 
ited Botetourt shortly after 1800 and found an organ- 
ized church here. David Rife, Henry Snider, and 
Jacob Peters were the first ministers. From the time 
of the organization to the present, the church has been 
presided over by Elders Abraham Gish, Abraham 
Crumpacker, Joel Crumpacker, Peter Nininger, Peter 
Nead, B. F. Moomaw, Jonas Graybill, Samuel Crum- 
packer, T. C. Denton, C. D. Hylton, G^ H. Graybill, 
D. N. Filer, and J. A. Dove. The seven last named 
together with Lewis Skeggs, J. T. Layman, J. W. and 

156 



FIRST DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

C. S. Ikenberry, E. C. Crumpacker, D. P. Hylton, and 
L. C. Coffman constitute the present ministry, who 
hold meetings at twenty-one different places. There 
are at this time five Sunday schools with an enrollment 
of four hundred and forty-two and an average at- 
tendance of two hundred and eighty-five. The church 
is large in area and membership, having a diameter of 
nearly twenty-four miles and a membership of five 
hundred and forty-eight. 



The Botetourt church is splendidly organized and 
with its present efficient ministry much aggressive 
work is being done for the Master. The report of 
this church for the year 1907, as given in the Gospel 
Messenger, shows that there are twenty-one preaching 
places, thirteen of which are mission points under the 
special care of a minister. Their fourteen ministers 
preached two hundred and seventy-nine sermons in 
the .home congregation and one hundred and ninety- 
nine in other congregations. Four series of meet- 
ings were held by the home ministry in their home 
church and nine in other churches. Twenty-three 
members were received by letter. Twenty-five were 
baptized and one reclaimed, making a total of forty- 
nine. Twenty-eight letters were given. Six mem- 
bers were lost by death, and three disowned. The 
total amount contributed for all purposes for 1907, 
was $4,324.68. 

From the first the Botetourt church has had many 
earnest ministers, who have labored for the Lord here 
and in the surrounding territory. As a consequence 
of this, a number of other churches have been built 

157 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

up, of which mention is made in the succeeding pages. 

The Mt. Joy church is also in Botetourt County. 
This organization is under the supervision of Eld. 
A. F. Pursley, who gave the following history of his 
charge : 

The Mt. Joy church is in the northern part of the 
county. The first Brethren to preach here came from 



^^^^pf^fgl 


n 




11 -y^^H 


^^HHH 


p"*^ ^^■■■1 


B^m 





Brother and Sister Ross, Who are Supported as 

Missionaries in India by the First 

District of Virginia. 



Rockingham and Augusta counties about the year 
1857. Those first to come here were Brethren Miller, 
Thomas, Garber, Cline, and perhaps others I do not 
remember. Later the Brethren from southern Bote- 
tourt, Franklin, and Floyd counties came to us. The 
congregation was organized in 1859, with twelve 
members. We now have one hundred and thirty with 
A. F. Pursley and J. W. Pursley elders in charge. In 

158 



FIRST DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

our two Sunday schools there are eighty scholars en- 
rolled with an average attendance of fifty-nine. The 
church owns three houses of worship and holds meet- 
ings at four other points. 



At the present time there are three organized 
churches in Bedford County. Two of these, Geters 
Chapel and Saunders Grove, are under the supervision 
of Eld. Samuel Crumpacker, who gave the following 
information concerning his charges : 

Geters Chapel church was the outgrowth of the 
mission endeavor of the ^Botetourt Brethren. Elders 
Peter Nininger and B. F. ]Moomaw did the first 
preaching. The church was organized in 1875 with 
about twenty members. At this time there are forty. 
There is no resident minister. The church has been 
under the care of the Botetourt Brethren since its or- 
ganization. 

Saunders Grove church was also established by the 
Botetourt Brethren and was organized in 1875. At 
this time there are thirty members with S. R. Saun- 
ders as their minister. 



Concerning the Antioch church in Bedford County, 
Eld. J. P. Leftwich says : 

About 1857, Abraham Brubaker and wife settled 
seven miles east of Bedford City. Ten years later 
Brethren David Plaine, Peter Nininger, B. F. AIoo- 
maw, John Brubaker, John Filer, Henry A. Beahm 
from Botetourt and Roanoke counties began holding 
meetings in this community. As a consequence of 
this, the Antioch church was organized with twenty 

159 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

members. At this time there are forty-five members. 
The elders in charge since the organization are Henry 
A. Beahm, John Davis, S. A. B. Hershberger, J. P. 
Leftwich and S. P. Beahm. The present ministry are 
J. P. Leftwich, S. P. Beahm, B. H. Funk, and J. R. 
Hughs. 



The Patts Creek church in Alleghany County was 
also a plant of the Botetourt church. Eld. John W. 
Jamison states that Peter Xininger and Benjamin 
Moomaw began preaching on Patts Creek about fifty 
years ago and the church was organized shortly after 
that time. The membership at one time was about 
forty, but it has been reduced to twenty at the present 
time. In addition to those already mentioned, John B. 
Davis, George M. Jamison, and John W. Jamison 
have served this church as ministers. 

Eld. A. M. Frantz writes concerning the Greenbriar 
church, that Elders Peter Nininger, David Plaine, B. 
F. Moomaw, John Aloomaw, and others from Bote- 
tourt and Roanoke counties were the first ministers to 
preach there. Later Elders J. S. Flory, Andrew 
Hutchison, and others from West Virginia, did the 
preaching. The organization was formed about 1870. 
At this time there are sixteen members scattered over 
a wide territory. Eld. Frantz is the only minister and 
should have assistance. 

There are two church organizations in Roanoke 
County. The accounts of these have been written by 
the senior elder in charge of each church. Both of 
them labor under the disadvantage of no early records 
being kept. Yet it is generally accepted that the 

160 



FIRST DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

Brethren preached here soon after the settlement in 
Botetourt County. 

Eld. C. E. Filer in giving a report of Peters Creek 
church says : " The number of members at present 
is one hundred and fifty. Beginning with our present 
ministry, I find that the following Brethren have had 
oversight of Peters Creek church : C. E. Filer, D. C. 
Nafif, C. A. Williams, John B. NafT, John W. Filer, 
Moses E. Brubaker, Elias Brubaker, Christian Wertz, 
John Brubaker, John Filer, and Daniel Barnhart. 
The follovv^ing Brethren constitute the present minis- 
terial force: D. C. Naff, C. E. Filer, N. H. Garst, 
Levi Garst, J. S. Showalter, C. F. Webster, J. H. 
Garst, and J. H. Wimmer, who hold meetings at seven 
different places. Three meetinghouses are owned by 
the Peters Creek church, in which three Sunday 
schools are conducted, with an enrollment of one hun- 
dred and thirty scholars and an average attendance of 
one hundred." 

Eld. Jacob Grisso w^as born in 1839 and he is now 
the senior elder of the Johnsville church. In writing 
of his charge, he says : " The Brethren held meetings 
in their houses and barns when I was quite a little 
boy. The church was organized about 1840, with 
twenty or twenty-five members. It was then known 
as the Montgomery congregation. Now we have a 
membership of sixty or seventy. The following min- 
isters have served the church, beginning with 1840: 
Sam.uel Crumpacker, Peter Crumpacker, Christopher 
Kinzie, Abraham Crumpacker, Jacob Grisso, Eleazar 
John, Samuel S. Wells, John John and James Wells. 
The last-named brother and myself are the present 

161 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

ministers. We have one meetinghouse, hold meetings 
at three different places, and have one Sunday school, 
with thirty-five scholars enrolled and an average at- 
tendance of thirty." 




Elder P. S. Miller. 



The Roanoke City Church. 
By Eld. P. S. :Miller. 

[Eld. Miller was born in Augusta County, April 30, 
1849. His ancestors were closely identified with the his- 
tory of the church in that county from a very early date. 
His grandfather, Eld. Peter Miller, was one of the pioneer 
preachers and his father, John Miller, was the first elder 
of the Pleasant Valley church. Eld. Miller's early life 
was spent on his father's farm. He united with the 

162 



FIRST DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

church in October, 1866; was married to Elizabeth F. 
CHck in October, 1872; was elected minister in 1878, and 
ordained elder in 1892. Before his removal to Roanoke 
City, Bro. ]\Iiller was closely identified with Bridgewater 
College as trustee, and some of his best years were de- 
voted to the advancement of that institution of learning. 
He moved to Roanoke City in 1890. Since that time, in 
addition to his care of that church, he has served the dis- 
trict on standing committee at Annual iMeeting in the 
years 1893, 1896, 1897, 1900, 1904, and 1906. He also 
served on the committee of arrangements for Annual 
Meeting of 1899 and 1905. These duties, with various 
appointments on committees from Annual and District 
JMeeting, together with the supervision of the work in his 
home church, make his life a busy one. Concerning his 
charge, he furnishes the following well-prepared history,] 

Roanoke City church was organized the first Sun- 
day in September, 1893, with thirty-two members and 
P. S. Miller and I. A. B. Harshberger elders ; Joseph 
Shickel, D. R. Brubaker, J. H. Murry, C. E. Trout, 
ministers ; and Joseph C. Moomaw, F. E. Skeggs, Le- 
land C. Moomaw, Monroe Garst, Peter Shilling, and 
J. D. Bower deacons. 

Prior to this time the Brethren had been holding 
meetings in a hall. The first sermon was preached by 
Eld. Jonas Graybill in 1892. Services were also con- 
ducted at different times by Elders B. F. Moomaw, 
John W. Eller, John B. NafT, Samuel Crumpacker, 
T. C. Denton, George H. Graybill, D. N. Eller, J. A. ) 
Dove, J. H. Graybill, P. S. ^liller and others. In the \ 
early spring of 1895, it was decided to buy a lot upon 
which to erect a church. The house, twenty-eight by 
forty feet, was built, and dedicated in August of the 
same year. The whole cost of the house and lot was 
$2,000. 

• 163 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

In a few years it was necessary to enlarge the house 
in order to accommodate the increasing number at 
Sunday school and preaching services. This was done 
in 1901, at a cost of $400. 

Again, four years later, a larger house was needed. 




Roanoke City Church. 



This was built as shown in the accompanying cut. 
The main auditorium has a floor space of nearly three 
thousand square feet, with two vestibule entrances, 
four Sunday-school rooms, etc., the whole cost of 
which was $4,600. 

The enrollment at the organization shows the fol- 
lowing names : P. S. Miller and wife, Joseph Shickel 
and wife, W. P. IMoomaw and wife, Joseph IMoomaw 
and wife, F. E. Skeggs and wife, Joseph Peters and 

164 



FIRST DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

wife, Julia Via, John H. Garst, J. H. Graybill and 
wife, J. H. Murry and wife, J. A. Hoover and wife, 
Stephen Shaffin and wife, Nannie V. Maures, Rebecca 
A. Garber, Lizzie Moomaw, D. A. Garber, M. L. 
Feller and wife, N. R. Bower and wife, and Lavinia 
Campbell — thirty-two in all. Now there are more 
than two hundred in number, with four ministers, six 
deacons, and P. S. Miller and I. A. B. Harshberger 
elders. 

Each Lord's Day we have Sunday school at ten A. 
M., preaching services at eleven A. M. and eight P- 
M., Christian Workers' Meeting at seven P. M., and 
song and praise service each Thursday evening. 

The Brethren in Floyd County. 

By Eld. C. D. Kylton. 

[Eld. Chrisley D. Hylton, son of Eld. H. P. Hylton, was 
born in Floyd County, ^'irginia, June 20, 1859. Schools 
were few and he received cuch education as the old-time 
three-months-subscription schools afforded, until the insti- 
tution of the public schools. On December 2, 1877, at the 
age of eighteen years, he was baptized into the Brethren 
Church. Seven winters were spent in teaching public 
schools. On December 22, 1881, he married ]\Iattie E. 
Bowman, of Tennessee. On September 6, 1884, he was 
elected to the ministry and on the 27th day of the same 
month, he made his first attempt to preach a sermon, in 
the Flat Rock church, Ashe County, North Carolina. Two 
years later he began holding series of meetings and the 
Lord blessed his efforts to the saving of many souls. 
Twice Eld. Hylton in public discussions successfully de- 
fended the faith and practice of the Brethren Church 
against would-be assailants. On October 2, 1892, he was 
ordained to the eldership. In 1895, he with his family 
moved to Louisiana and spent one year. He was sent 

165 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

from there by the General Mission Board to take charge 
of the Florida Mission, where he resided for nearly three 
years. He was then engaged by the Mission Board of the 
First District of Virginia as district evangelist, where he 
spent two years constantly in the field. He is now located 
in the Botetourt church on a farm. During the fall and 




Elder Chrisley D. Hylton. 

winter he does considerable evangelistic work. His work 
has been confined mainly to Virginia, North Carolina, 
Tennessee, and West Virginia, with a few visits made to 
Maryland and Pennsylvania.] 

When George HI, king of England, sent his troops 
to the New World to force the United Colonies into 
submission to his demands, there was a young man on 
board one of the vessels whose name was WilHam 
Smith. His genealogy is not known, neither is it 
known why he was transported with the troops, for 

166 



FIRST DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

in principle he was a noncombatant, and his sym- 
pathy was with the Americans. He refused to fight 
under the British flag. 

After the struggle for independence had been 
crowned with success, young Smith decided to make 
his home with the Americans. Consequently, he set- 
tled down in life at the head of Daniel's Run, now in 
Floyd County, Virginia. At that time the country was 
very sparsely settled ; ministers of the Gospel were 
scarce, and those who were religiously inclined trav- 
eled for miles to hear the Word of God preached. 
Young Smith being of a spiritual turn of mind nat- 
urally sought for a place to worship, and a people with 
whom he might worship God. He met Elder Jacob 
Miller of Franklin County and after learning of the 
faith of the Brethren decided to cast his lot with them. 
Smith demanded baptism at the hands of Elder Miller. 
(Tradition says that Smith had witnessed a baptismal 
scene of one who had demanded apostolic baptism of 
the king, whereupon the king caused him to be bap- 
tized by trine immersion.) 

Not many years later, Bro. Smith was called to the 
ministry by the church. The Lord blessed his humble 
efforts ; souls were gathered into the fold ; and about 
the year 1800 the first Brethren church was organized 
in the territory which is now included mostly in Floyd 
County. William Smith was ordained elder by Eld. 
Jacob Miller.- 

On account of the Franklin County Brethren using 
the German language in their service and the Flovd 
Brethren using the English, the former for some time 
was known as the " German Arm " and the latter the 

167 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

" English Arm." By constant mingling they worked 
harmoniously, and in course of a few decades all could 
understand English. 

This new congregation was bounded on the north 
by the North Fork of Roanoke River, on the east by 
Franklin County, and on the south and west there 
were no limits. In 1845 this territory was divided 
and that part east of Floyd Courthouse was called the 
** East Arm " and that on the west was called the 
" West Arm." Services were held promiscuously over 
the territory in dwelling houses, barns, and groves. 
In 1857 the Brick church was built in the " West 
Arm " by the united and untiring energy of H. P. 
Hylton and Joseph Weddle at a cost of $1,300. Eight 
hundred dollars of this amount was subscribed by 
members and friends of the church. The remaining 
$500 was supplied by the builders. 

In 1860 the '' West Arm " was divided, and the 
territory north of Wills Ridge was called the Pleas- 
ant Valley congregation. About 1870 the '' East 
Arm " built the Red Oak Grove church, and the 
Pleasant Valley congregation built their church called 
by the same name. In 1890 the Smyth's River con- 
gregation, in Patrick County, was cut off from the 
Brick church (as the West Arm was now called), was 
organized, and built a churchhouse. In 1892 the 
Burk's Fork church was taken from the Brick church 
and the same year the Union church was built. In 
1893 the St. Paul church in Carroll County was or- 
ganized and taken from the Brick church. In 1893 
the Coylson church in Carroll County was organized 
and cut from the Brick church territory. In 1895 the 

168 



FIRST DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

old Brick church was torn down and a new wooden 
structure built on the same lot. It is now called the 
Topeco church. In 1897 again and perhaps for the 
last time, this old original congregation was divided 
and the Pleasant View church near the village of 
Hylton was organized and a new churchhouse was 
built bearing the same name. 

The following parties have been elected to the min- 
istry in the old Brick church congregation to the year 
1907, viz. : Jacob Weddle, Austin Hylton, Archie 
Thompson, Joshua Thompson, Andrew Weddle, H. P. 
Hylton, Andrew Reed, John Weddle, Joseph Weddle, 
William Reed, Isaac Reed, J. B. Hylton, Cornelius 
Reed, J. H. Slusher, Harvey Weddle, P. N. Hylton, 
Joel Weddle, C. D. Hylton, Ananias Harman, Jacob 
Hylton, A. N. Hylton, and L. C. \\^eddle. 

The following ministers were ordained to the elder- 
ship in the above church : \Mlliani Smith, Chrisley 
Bowman, Austin Hylton, H. P. Hylton, Andrew Reed, 
John Weddle, J. B. Hylton, J. H. Slusher, Harvey 
Weddle, Thomas Reed, C. D. Hylton, Ananias Har- 
man, and Jacob Hylton. 



In addition to what Eld. Hylton wrote relative to 
the church in Floyd County, a brief account of the 
different local organizations is here given. These in 
the main are written by the respective elders in charge. 

Eld. Harvey Weddle in writing of the Tropico 
church says : " We have been known by our present 
name since 1896. Prior to that time our name was 
the Brick church. The first ministers to preach in 
this community were William Smith and John Bow- 

169 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

man. The church was organized in 1845 with ten 
members. All services were held in houses and barns 
until 1857, when the first house of worship was built. 
The present membership is one hundred and twenty. 
Also from the organization have sprung seven others 
and from them three more, with a combined member- 
ship of about one thousand members." 




Elder W. H. Naff. 



[Eld. William H. Naff was born April 29, 1845. On 
October 4, 1867, he united in marriage with Mary Jane 
Lampey. In September, 1877, he joined the church; was 
elected minister a year later and was ordained elder in 
1887. He served as moderator, reading and writing clerk 
a number of times, and also was a member* of Standing 
Committee at five different Annual ]\Ieetings. Since his 
ordination in 1887, he has had charge of the Red Oak 
Grove church and for almost an equal length oi time 
he has been in the same relation with the Elliot Creek 
congregation. In addition to this, he has served the White 

170 



FIRST DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

Rock and St. Paul churches. As a school-teacher, he has 
been quite successful, having taught forty-one years and 
boarded at home all the while, with the exception of one 
session.] 

Eld. Nafif says : * " Red Oak Grove church was or- 
ganized about 1870. It was cut off from Pleasant 
Valley. At that time there were twenty-five members ; 
now we have one hundred and five. The present min- 
isters are W. H. Naff, M. J. Dickerson, S. G. Spangle, 
J. F. Keith, Asa Bowman, Charles Williams, and 
William Vest." 

Elliot's Creek was organized in 1887 with about 
fifteen members. Now there are forty. The ministry 
of the Red Oak Grove church serve this organization. 

The Angels' Rest Church is in Giles County. 
Eld. M. J. Dickerson is in charge of the work. This 
organization was effected in July, 1905, and was the 
outgrowth of the labors of Elders M. J. Dickerson, 
W. H. Nafif, and others. 

The Burk's Fork Church is in Floyd County and 
was organized in 1892 with sixty members ; at present 
there are one hundred and fifty. 

St. Paul's Church, Carroll County, at its organi- 
zation in 1893 had twenty members. At present its 
membership is forty-five. 

Smith's River in Patrick County was organized in 
1890 with twenty members and H. P. Hylton elder in 
charge. There are now one hundred and fifty mem- 
bers with W. A. Elgin elder in charge. 

Mount Jackson was cut off from Pleasant Valley 
with about forty members. However, adverse condi- 
tions have reduced this number. 

171 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

The Pleasant Valley Congregation in Floyd 
County has about two hundred members and is in a 
prosperous condition. 

Pleasant View in Floyd County has about one 
hundred members with Owen Barnhart and S. P. 
Hylton elders, and Charles Hylton and Zion jMitchel 
ministers. 

Beaver Creek has about one hundred members 
with two elders and three ministers. 

White Rock is a small congregation in Floyd 
County with Washington Akers elder in charge. 

The Crab Orchard Church is in Raleigh County, 
West \^irginia. The Brethren from Franklin and 
Floyd counties began preaching in this community 
about the year 1858, Christian Bowman being 
chief among them. The church was organized in 
1868 or 1869, with twelve members. At present there 
are forty-five members with two ministers and one 
house of worship. 

The Charleston Church is in South Charlestown, 
Kanawha County, West Virginia. The Brethren from 
the Valley of Virginia began preaching here first, 
Jacob Thomas being chief among them. In 1885 the 
church was organized with fifteen members. At pres- 
ent there are twenty-one members with one meeting- 
house, but no resident elder. 

The Chestnut Grove Church is in Fayette 
County, West Virginia. Daniel Thomas from the 
\^alley of Virginia preached here first in the year 
1858. A few years later the church was organized 
with ten members and Bro. J. S. Flory was elected 
minister. At the present time there are seventy-five 
172 



FIRST DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

members, five ministers, and two houses of worship. 
The present Chestnut Grove meetinghouse is the third 
one built on the same site. 

The author is indebted to Bro. J. M, Crouse, Stuart, 
West Virginia, for the information relative to the 
West Virginia churches. 

The close organization throughout the district prom- 
ises to be fruitful of much gain for the Lord. Of the 
present workings of the district, more is to be said in 
a later chapter. 

A complete list of the ministry of the First District 
of Virginia would be lengthy. Among the churches 
are many very efficient workers for the Lord. Some 
names such as the Naffs, Moomaws, Hyltons and 
Crumpackers appear very frequently in the ministry 
of the different churches. A striking illustration of 
this is in the person of Daniel P. Hylton of the Bote- 
tourt church, son of Eld. C. D. Hylton. This young 
brother is the fourth generation of ministers in the 
Hylton family. He completed a course in the Bote- 
tourt Normal School and was called to the ministry 
at the age of nineteen years. He was born February 
17, 1884, and at this time promises many years of 
usefulness in the church. 



173 



CHAPTER IX. 

Second District of Virginia — Church Organization. 

The northern and eastern portions of Virginia to- 
gether with a number of counties in West Virginia 
constitute the Second District of Virginia. In area it 
is not so large as that of the First District, but the 
membership is mucli larger. At the time of the or- 
ganization in 1866, the churches in northern Virginia 
were well prepared to carry forward the work of the 
district. At that time .there were twelve local organi- 
zations with an outlying mission territory. Now there 
are thirty-three churches with a total membership of 
7,430. Nearly all of these have an outlying mission 
field. In many places this mission territory should be 
organized into churches, and the strong churches 
doubtless would do more efficient work for the Master 
if they were subdivided. 

At this time there is also a growing sentiment in 
favor of a division of the district. To this end a com- 
mittee consisting of Elders J. M. Kagey, D. H. Zigler, 
E. D. Kendig, S. A. Sanger, and M. G. Early was ap- 
pointed to investigate the advisability of such division 
and report to the District Meeting of 1908. 

Of the thirty-three churches, three are in West Vir- 
ginia. These were the outgrowth of early missionary 
endeavor of the church in the Valley of Virginia. 
The missionary, educational and charitable work of 
the district is considered in a succeeding chapter, to- 

174 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 



■gether with that of the First District of Virginia. At 
this place the development of the churches from the 
three early settlements in Shenandoah, Rockingham 
and Augusta counties is here chronicled. In this it is 
not the purpose to repeat what has been said in pre- 
vious chapters, only so far as is necessary for clear- 
ness of statement. 

The settlements referred to early became known as 

the Lower Rockingham and 

»r '^' - ni Shenandoah Brethren, the 

0-' ^, ^ \ Upper Rockingham Brethren 
""" and the Augusta Brethren. 

From each of these centers 
the ministers went forth pro- 
claiming the Word of Truth, 
and churches were organized. 
They are taken up in the 
order as they appear above. 

The churches north of 
Harrisonburg from the time 
of the first division in 1788 were considered under one 
regulation, with Benjamin Bowman as senior elder 
with Elders Martin Garber and John Glick assistants 
at first, with others succeeding in office of bishop as 
time went on. This continued without change until 
1827, when the northern part of Shenandoah County 
was put under a separate organization. Eld. S. A. 
Shaver, who now has charge of this church, furnishes 
the following bit of interesting history concerning it: 
" The Woodstock Church was organized in the 
year 1827 with twelve members. One half of them 
prior to the organization were, or belonged to the 

175 




Elder S. A. Shaver 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

River Brethren church. The names of those twelve 
charter members are: Abraham Hockman and wife, 
John Hockman and wife, John Gochenour and wife, 
Jonathan Gochenour and wife, George Shaver and 
V\dfe, John Nihiser, and Magdalene Bronk. The terri- 
tory extended from Stony Creek in Shenandoah 
County to the Potomac River. 

" On the day of the organization, George Shaver 
was elected deacon, and a few years later became the 
first minister. The following is a list of the ministers 
from that time to the present: 

" George Shaver, elected in 1834 ; ordained to the 
eldership, March 3, 1849. 

" John Nihiser, elected in 1840 ; ordained, elder in 
1858. 

" John Brindle, elected in 1856. 

'' Jonas Wakeman, elected in 1858 ; ordained elder 
in 1876. 

" S. A. Shaver, elected in 1860 ; ordained elder in 
1876. 

" H. R. Mawery, elected February 25, 1888 ; or- 
dained on August 27, 1904. 

"J. M. Rymon, elected on May 21, 1892. 

" D. H. Smith, elected on August 23, 1901. 

" In the year 1857, James Tabler moved into the 
congregation and settled near Middletown. He was a 
minister at the time and soon thereafter the northern 
part of the congregation was organized into the Salem 
church and Bro. Tabler ordained elder. At this time 
Daniel Baker was elected to the ministry, and in 1866 
ordained to the eldership." 

At the present time, by information given by N. D. 
176 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

Cool, a resident minister, the Salem congregation has 
sixty-three members, two churchhouses, seven meet- 
ings per month, two Sunday schools with about sixty 
scholars, and three ministers ; viz. : N. D. Cool, C. H. 
Brown, and Lewis Detra. 

In 1901, the eastern part of the Woodstock church 
was organized into the Powels Fort congregation. 
At that time William Peters and J. Clanaham were 
the resident ministers and S. A. Shaver chosen elder 
in charge. 

In 1885, the Woodstock church was sorely rent by 
division, E. M. Shaver, a minister, uniting with the 
Progressive movement. With him a number of mem- 
bers withdrew from the church. At this time, how- 
ever, there are one hundred and fifty members, four 
ministers, three churchhouses with eight regular ap- 
pointments, and two Sunday schools with eighty 
scholars. 

Returning to the division of territory as laid out by 
the line of 1788, the rest of the old district lying north 
of Harrisonburg remained in one organization until 
1840. At this time a division line having Timberville 
as an objective point was agreed upon between Flat 
Rock and Linville Creek. 

The history of the Flat Rock Congregation is 
written by Bro. David J. Wine, who is a son of Eld. 
D. P. Wine and is an active deacon and Sunday-school 
worker of the Flat Rock church. He is also a mem- 
ber of the local mission board for the congregation. 
The author is indebted to him for other valuable in- 
formation in the preparation of this volume. 

" It was within the bounds of this church that the 

177 




o 
u 

3 

o 
o 

•M 
0) 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

first settlement was made by the Brethren in northern 
Virginia. Here John Garber located in 1775. In 
1783, Elders Martin Garber and John Click also set- 
tled here. In 1800, John Kagey was elected to the 
ministry and ordained to the eldership in 1814. These 
brethren, assisted by others from Linville Creek, 
served the church until 1840, when an agreement was 
made to divide in two districts. For years, however, 
they continued to labor jointly in outlying mission 
territory. 

" Isaac Myers was elected minister on April 8, 1845. 

" Jacob Wine, elected April 8, 1846, ordained elder 
April 18, 1857. 

" David Cline was elected minister on July 31, 1848. 

"John Neff was elected minister, April 15, 1852. 

" Abraham Neff, elected April 18, 1857 ; ordained 
elder, August 2, 1859. 

" Daniel Hays was ordained to the eldership on 
April 23, 1881. 

"Abraham J. Kagey was called to the ministry in 
1881. 

" John Ellis was ordained elder, April 23, 1881. 

'.' S. H. Myers was ordained elder, March 16, 1882. 

" M. J. Good was ordained elder, January 18, 1898. 

" B. W. Neff was ordained elder, January 18, 1897. 

"John F. Driver was elected minister, March 11, 
1882, and moved to Linville Creek on October 17, 
1890. 

" D. P. Wine, elected January 3, 1885 ; ordained 
elder, August 22, 1905. 

" B. Frank Garber was elected to the ministry. 
April 24, 1887. 

179 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

" John W. Wayland was chosen minister in August, 
1894. 

" J. Carson Miller was called to the ministry, Au- 
gust 5, 1892. 

" John H. Garber, elected minister on August 1, 
1896. 

" Charles Nesselrod was chosen minister, August 
29, 1896. 

"I. J\I. Neff was elected minister on Xovember 20, 
1896. 

" L. D. Wakeman, chosen minister, September 16, 
1904. 

"Arthur B. Miller was called to the ministry on 
February 11, 1905. 

*'At the present time Flat Rock has four hundred 
and sixty members and eight ministers, two of which, 
B. W. Neff and D. P. Wine, are ordained elders. 
Twenty-two regular appointments are filled each 
m.onth at eight different points. The church now has 
in prospect a subdivision of its territory into three 
divisions in the near future." 

The present indicates many years of usefulness for 
this church. 

The division line between Flat Rock and Linville 
Creek was laid out in 1840 and the boundary between 
Greenmount and Linville Creek in 1844. Prior to 
this each of these divisions were virtually independent 
of each other. From a very early date this was true, 
except in the election of ministers and deacons, and 
other questions of general interest, when they' united 
in their choice. In such case the vote was taken 
separately at each place and the matter was decided 

180 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

by the sum total of all the votes cast. A notable ex- 
ample is given when Elders Benjamin Bowman and 
John Click conducted the election of one minister and 
two deacons on May 31, 1818. The sum total of the 
votes cast for a minister in this election was sixty- 
five. Of this number John Wampler received fifty- 
seven. Daniel J\Iiller, Samuel Coffman, and Benja- 
min Bowman were chosen deacons in the same way. 
At this time John Kline received a somewhat flatter- 
ing vote, but his election to the deacon office was de- 
ferred until some years later and was conducted in the 
like manner. 

At that time the southern part of the territory lying 
between the Flat Rock and the old Harrisonburg line 
was known as Upper Linville, and the northern part 
known as Lower Linville Creek. After the complete 
organization of these territories into churches, the 
name of the former was changed to Greenmount and 
the latter to Linville Creek. A brief history of the 
Linville Creek Church by Eld. John P. Zigler is 
here given. 

[Eld. John P. Zigler was born January 10, 1845; was 
married to Sarah J. Driver October 20, 1868; united with 
the church in 1869; was elected to the ministry August 
19, 1872; and was ordained to the eldership August 15, 
1891. In a second marriage on November 2, 1890, he was 
united with Sallie E. Andes. To these two unions eleven 
children were born, all of whom united with the Breth- 
ren Church. He died October 15, 1907. He served the 
church on many important committees and was widely 
known as a minister of ability. Nearly his entire life 
was spent within the bounds of the Linville Creek church 
and it was here that the greatest work of his life was 
done. He was a grand-nephew of Eld. John Kline and 

181 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

partook of many of his noble characteristics. As an 
elder he was an example of unusual devotion to the wel- 
fare of his charge.] 




Pencil Sketch of Elder John P. Zig- 

ler, from Memory, b> Bio. 

C. E. Nair. 



The following was written by him for this volume 
shortly before his death: 

" The Linville Creek church is in the northern part 

of Rockingham County. Its northern border was 

agreed upon wdien the territory lying between Timber- 

ville and Harrisonburg was organized into Upper and 

182 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

Lower Linville Creek. Its southern boundary was 
designated four years later when Greenmount was or- 
ganized into a church. These churches continue to 
cooperate in important church work to the present, 
especially is this true in working the West Virginia 
mission territory. 

'' In 1830 the first Linville Creek meetinghouse was 
erected, which continued in use until 1868, when the 
present house of worship was erected. This congre- 
gation is well known as the home of Eld. Kline and 
the place where Eld. Peter Nead was married and 
made his home for a time. In 1830 John Kline and 
Samuel Wampler were at the same time elected to the 
ministry. They labored together in union and were 
advanced to the eldership in the same way April 13, 
1848. Other ministers of the Linville Creek church 
were elected as follows : 

"Abraham Knupp, April 5, 1845. 

" Christian Wine, April 10, 1857. .. 

" Samuel Zigler, February 27, 1858. 

" M. B. E. Kline, December 13, 1861. 

" David B. Rhodes, July 30, 1864. 

"Joseph Wampler, , 1868. 

" J. P. Zigler, August 19, 1872. 

" M. J. Roller, August 29, 1878. 

" Joseph Shickel, August 29, 1878. 

" D. H. Zigler, August 22, 1890. 

" J. S. Kline, August 20, 1896. 

" J. S. Roller, August 20, 1897. 

" S. D. Zigler, August 20, 1897. 

" W. A. Myers, February 24, 1905. 

" I. N. Zigler, August 1, 1907. 

183 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

*' John F. Driver moved into this congregation in 
1891, and D. Hays in 1892. 

" The Annual Meeting of 1879 was held at the Lin- 
ville Creek church. 

" In 1895, the western part of the congregation 
with about one hundred members was organized into 
the Brocks Gap church, which at present has a mem- 
bership of one hundred and fifty, six ministers, two 
churchhouses, and one Sunday school with fifty-six 
scholars, which make an average attendance of 
thirty- four. 

"At this time in the old church there are five hun- 
dred and thirty-three members and eight houses of 
worship owned as a whole or in part. There are six 
Sunday schools, four Christian Workers' meetings, 
and a Sisters' Aid Society. The church is in union 
and contends earnestly for the simple life as exempli- 
fied by Christ." 

At the present, Daniel Hays, John F. Driver and 
D. H. Zigler are ordained elders, and with J. S. 
Roller, W. A. Myers and I. N. Zigler constitute the 
ministerial corps. 

The Greenmount Church. 

By S. L. Bowman. 

[Bro. Bowman is an active minister of the Greenmount 
congregation. He is a descendant of the well-known 
Bowman family that appears so prominently in the early 
history of the Brethren in Virginia. In addition to his 
ministerial duties, he fills the important position of secre- 
tary of the Board of Trustees of Bridgewater College. 
Other valuable information furnished by Bro. Bowman 
is acknowledged at another place in this volume.] 

184 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

" The Greenmount organization occupies an area 
of twenty miles in length by ten miles in width. Be- 
fore the division of the territory north of Harrison- 
burg into the local churches, this was the extreme 
southern part and for many years it was known as 
Upper Linville. The present name was not adopted 
until after its organization into a church in 1844. Al- 
though this territory was a part of a much greater, 
there has been a resident elder within it from the time 
of the first settlement of the Brethren in Virginia to 
the present, save the few years intervening between 
the death of Eld. Benjamin Bowman, Sr., and the or- 
dination of his son, Benjamin, in 1837. 

" The following resident brethren were elected to 
the official position as indicated below : 

'' Benjamin Bowman, Jr., and Daniel Miller were 
elected deacons May 31, 1818. The former was or- 
dained to the eldership in 1837 and the latter a few 
years later. 

" Joseph Miller, son of Daniel, was elected minister, 
April 10, 1846. 

" John Wine was elected to the ministry, April 9, 
1851. 

" Jacob Miller, son of Daniel, elected minister, 
April 13, 1849; ordained elder in 1859; and died in 
1889. 

" Jacob Spitzer was elected, April 19, 1855, and 
ordained in 1868. 

"On November 5, 1863, William C. Therman and 
Benjamin Funk, who had officiated as ministers for 
years, united with the church and were received in 
their office. This addition, which at the first was con- 

185 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

sidered exceedingly fortunate, proved to be the sorest 
trial in the history of the Greenmount and adjoining 
churches. William C. Therman, who was a man of 
much learning and rare argumentative ability, soon 
began to preach strange doctrines. Chief among 
these was a fixed date for the second advent of Christ. 
Through his apparent truthful interpretations of the 
prophecies, a number of the Brethren among whom 
were ministers were drawn from the faith. Some of 
these, however, returned to the church after the fail- 
ure of the delusive prediction. About this time Ben- 
jamin Funk also became estranged from the church. 

"Benjamin Miller was called to the ministry on 
December 6, 1866. 

" George Wine was elected minister, April 13, 1867. 

" Fredric Wampler, called to the ministry in 1868. 

" Isaac Myers, elected minister, December 26, 
1874; ordained, May, 1898. Jacob A. Garber was or- 
dained elder in November, 1902. 

" B. B. Garber was elected minister in 1889. 

" J. W. Wampler, called to the ministry about 1895. 

" John H. Kline, elected minister in April, 1897. 

" S. L. Bowman was called to the ministry on Au- 
gust 5, 1899. 

" William Miller, elected minister in November, 
1802. 

" Eld. Benjamin Miller is senior in office and the 
last seven ministers mentioned above are actively en- 
gaged in their respective duties. There are about 
three hundred and seventy-five members at this time, 
with six houses of worship and two additional preach- 
ing points. There are six Sunday schools with an 

186 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

enrollment of four hundred and forty scholars and an 
average attendance of two hundred and sixty-three. 
Two Christian Workers' meetings and a Sisters' Aid 
Society afford ample activity for the workers of this 
church. 

" The Brush meetinghouse was built in 1843, Pine 
Grove about 1850, and Greenmount in 1859 and was 
rebuilt in 1898. 

" In addition to the home work this church is ac- 
tively engaged with the Linville Creek church in the 
extensive mission field in West Virginia." 

From this joint mission territory of Linville Creek 
and Greenmount, the North Millcreek congregation 
in West Virginia was organized with sixty-four mem- 
bers, one minister and two houses of worship. In 
addition to this there are yet in this unorganized mis- 
sion territory about ninety members with one church- 
house and another nearly completed. 

Before the separate organization of any of the local 
churches in this part of the Valley of Virginia, the 
ministers succeeded in establishing the church on Lost 
River in West Virginia. There are at this time two 
organizations here. Eld. Siram May furnishes the 
following condensed information relative to these 
churches : 

Upper Lost River has two hundred and fifty mem- 
bers, five ministers and two houses of worship. 

Lower Lost River has a membership of one hun- 
dred and fifty, with five ministers and two houses of 
worship. 

These Brethren carried the Gospel east as well as 
west. At the call of a lone sister, as early as 1835, 

187 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

they began to preach in Page County. Eld. Martin 
Rothgeb, senior elder in charge, gives the following 
very interesting account of the Page Church : 

*' The first preachers of the Brethren came to this 
county in 1835. If there were any earlier than this 
it is not known. Among them were John Kagey, 
Samuel Wampler and John Kline. The members 
there were Sisters Gibbons, Farrey, Maggert and 
Rodecap. In 1850, the congregation was organized 
with twelve members. At that time John Huffman 
was elected minister and Isaac Spittler deacon. 
Nathan Spittler was elected minister in 1857. 

'' At this time we have eight ministers as follows : 
Martin Rothgeb, J. B. F. Huffman, John A. Racer, 
John A. Racer, Jr., Joseph S. Foster, Joseph Foster, 
Jr., W. D. Strickler, George W. Painter and David S. 
Bradley. 

" At this time there are four hundred members in 
Page County, six houses of worship, and five Sunday 
schools are conducted with an enrollment of three 
hundred and eighteen and an average attendance of 
one hundred and ninety. 

" In addition to the work in Page County, our Breth- 
ren have carried forward a missionary work in Rap- 
pahannock County, where there are sixty-five mem- 
bers and one house of worship. A minister should be 
located at this place." 

The history of the churches in Rockingham County 
south of Harrisonburg is not unlike that in the valley 
north of that place. The first settlement here was 
made about 1785. As evidenced by the painstaking 
research of Bro. S. L. Bowman to whom the author 

188 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

is indebted for this information, among those early 
settlers was Eld. Peter Bowman, a brother of Eld. 
Benjamin Bowman. Little, however, is known of his 
work save that he was active in the ministry and that 
he was a writer of some ability. Closely associated 
with him are the names of Daniel Garber and John 
Flory. The former moved from his father's home at 
Flat Rock in 1790 and the latter married his sister, 
Catherine, the same year. They labored together for 
many years and under their ministration the church 
prospered greatly. Eld. Flory was born in 1766; mar- 
ried Catherine Garber in 1790; and died in 1845. 

The names of John Wine, Daniel Yount, Isaac 
Long and Martin Miller are also closely connected 
with this period. 

It is known that the Cooks Creek church was or- 
ganized at an early date, but the exact time cannot be 
given. The boundary continued unaltered for years 
until 1907, when the southern portion was cut off and 
organized into the Bridgewater congregation. This 
new church has two hundred members, one church- 
house, one chapel, two Sunday schools with an enroll- 
ment of one hundred and seventy-five scholars, two 
Christian Workers' meetings, and a Sisters' Aid 
Society. 

Eld. J. M. Kagey, who for many years has been a 
member of the District INIission Board and is also a 
member of the Board of Trustees of Bridgewater Col- 
lege, is the elder in charge of the Cooks Creek church. 
Eld. Kagey gives the following information concern- 
ing his charge: 

" Since the organization of the southern part of 

189 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

our district into the Bridge water church, there are 
about two hundred and fifty or three hundred mem- 
bers in our church, five meetinghouses, and four Sun- 
day schools with an enrollment of three hundred 
scholars. The present ministry are J. M. Kagey, P. S. 
Thomas, S. L Bowman, and S. D. Zigler." 

The old church and its latest offspring unite in 
working the West Virginia mission field, which ter- 
ritory has one hundr^^d and five members and four 
houses of worship. 

The Beaver Creek Church. 

By Eld. H. G. Miller. 

[Hiram G. Miller was born May 29, 1852; joined the 
church September 9, 1877; united in marriage with Julia 
A. Wright on November 7, 1877; elected minister April 
4, 1885; and ordained elder on August 1, 1896. Eld. Mil- 
ler has served the church as moderator of District Meet- 
ing and as a member of Standing Committee at Annual 
Meeting at different times. At present he is a member 
of the Board of Trustees for Bridgewater College and he 
also serves on the visiting committee for the same insti- 
tution. The discipline of the Beaver Creek church, of 
which he is senior elder, is favorably known.] 

" Doubtless the Beaver Creek and Cooks Creek 
churches were organized near the same time, but 
when the division was agreed upon is not known. 
Bro. John Brower was the first minister located in 
this section. He was followed by John Wine, Joseph 
Miller, Martin Miller, George Wine and the Thom- 
ases. Martin Miller was ordained to the eldership on 
April 5, 1855, and Daniel Thomas on December 5, 
1862. Jacob Thomas was elected minister, April 5, 

190 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

1855. George Wine moved from Highland County 
in 1863 and was ordained an elder in 1868. 

" The Beaver Creek churchhouse was burned June 
13, 1869, and a new building erected in October and 




Elder Hiram G. Miller. 

November of the same year. G. W. Wine was or- 
dained to the eldership on August 5, 1893. 

" From the southern part of this congregation, Elk 
Run was organized about the year 1870. At present 
there are one hundred and three members, two 
churchhouses, five ministers, one Sunday school with 
an enrollment of forty-five and an average attendance 
of forty-one, one Christian Workers' meeting with 

191 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 




an enrollment of twenty, and one Sisters' Aid Society. 
The mission field is in Rockbridge and Bath counties. 
" The Sangerville congregation was cut off from 
Beaver Creek, August 3, 1895. This church joins 
with the mother church in working the mission field, 
which comprises Highland County, Virginia, and 

Pocahontas and part of Pendle- 
ton counties in West Virginia. 
'' From this territory there 
was organized in 1897, Grum- 
mets Run, now under the ef- 
ficient care of Eld. A. S. 
Thomas, which at present has 
two hundred members, three 
ministers, one churchhou^ and 
interest in one, and one Sun- 
day school with seventy-five 
scholars. The church is unable 
to work its territory. Beaver Creek and Sangerville 
churches assist it. 

" Also a few years later Thorny Bottom was or- 
ganized with a membership of thirty and two minis- 
ters. 

'' In 1899, Anthony A. Miller, then a member of 
the District Mission Board, was placed in Highland 
County. On September 27, 1900, the Valley Bethel 
congregation was organized with forty-two members, 
with A. A. Miller minister in charge. He was or- 
dained to the eldership, on August 22, 1902. At the 
present time there are thirty-six members, two minis- 
ters, one meetinghouse, and one Sunday school with 
an enrollment of forty-five and an average attendance 

192 



Eld. Anthony A. Miller. 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

of thirty-six. This church now has three outlying 
points in Bath and Highland counties with forty-seven 
members, making a total membership of eighty-three. 

" In the remaining mission field there are one hun- 
dred and fifty members, six ministers, two houses of 
worship and five Sunday schools with one hundred 
and twenty scholars. Elders H. G. Miller and J. W. 
Wine jointly have oversight of this territory. 

" The present membership of the parent church is 
three hundred and forty-six with seven ministers, who 
hold five meetings per month at two churchhouses, 
four Sunday schools with an enrollment of three hun- 
dred and forty-eight and an average attendance of 
one hundred and eighty-nine, one Christian Workers' 
meeting, and a Sisters' Aid Society." 

When the Sangerville church was cut off from 
Beaver Creek on August 3, 1895, G. W. Wine became 
elder in charge. He was born February 24, 1834; 
united with the church in July, 1851 ; became a min- 
ister in 1869; and was ordained to the eldership in 
August, 1893. At this time he serves in the important 
position as counselor. His son, J. W. Wine, who was 
born December 21, 1858, united with the church in 
August, 1875; was elected minister, April 1, 1893; 
and was ordained elder on September 6, 1901. He is 
elder in charge and furnishes the following relative 
to this church : 

" Sangerville was cut off from Beaver Creek con- 
gregation in 1895. At present there are three hun- 
dred and seventy-eight members, five churchhouses, 
five ministers, three Sunday schools with three hun- 
dred and seventy-seven scholars enrolled and an aver- 

193 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

age attendance of two hundred and nineteen, two 
Chistian Workers' meetings, and a Sisters' Aid So- 
ciety with forty-three members." 

The following is the history of the Mill Creek 




Elder J. W. Wine. 

Congregation, much abridged from the writing of 
P. H. Showalter and J. P. Deihl. It stands as an 
evidence of the painstaking research of these breth- 
ren. The former is a minister and the latter an active 
deacon of this church. 

" The Mill Creek congregation was organized in 
1840. Some ten years prior to this time the Brethren 
from Cooks Creek began to preach here. Isaac Long 
and Daniel Yount moved here soon after this and la- 
bored earnestly for the upbuilding of the church. 
When the church was organized there were the fol- 

194 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

lowing members present: Isaac Long and wife, 
Daniel Yount and wife, John Harshbarger and wife, 
Samuel Flory and wife, Daniel Miller and wife, 
Joseph Miller and wife, John Begoon, Sr., and John 
Yount's wife. Isaac Long became their elder and 
Daniel Yount faithfully stood by his side in the work 
of the ministry. During the same year, a house of 
worship, twenty-five by fifty-five feet, was erected. 

" John Hershberger, Sr., was elected to the ministry 
on May 13, 184L 

" In 1845, Samuel Flory, who was among the char- 
ter members, was elected deacon. 

" Isaac Long was elected minister on April 13, 
1854. 

" Christian Hartman and Fredric Miller elected 
ministers in 1855. 

" In 1860, a new house of worship, thirty-five by 
fifty feet was erected. 

" Isaac Long was ordained to the eldership in 1863. 

" Henry Beahm was elected minister in 1865. 

" John Hershberger was called to the ministry in 
1867. 

*' Samuel Cline, elected minister in 1871. 

" Noah Flory was called to the ministry in 1879. 

" S. A. Sanger was elected minister in 1880. 

*'A. B. Miller, elected minister in 1883. 

*' P. H. Showalter, elected minister in 1883. 

" In 1887, a new churchhouse, fifty by seventy feet, 
w^as erected. 

*' In 1889, H. C. Early moved into the congrega- 
tion. 

195 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

" I. S. Long, who with Effie Showalter Long are 
missionaries in India, was elected a minister in 1895. 

" Wilham H. Sanger, elected minister in 1899. 

" D. B. Wampler was called to the ministry in 
1900. 




Isaac and EfRe Long, '^Tiose Home Was 
in the Mill Creek Church. They Are Now 
Supported by the Second District of Vir- 
ginia as Missionaries in India. 



Samuel Pence was elected minister in 1903. 
C. E. Long was elected to the ministry in 1906. 
Joseph Pence was ordained to the eldership in 



1906. 



196 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

" Through the earnest efforts of some of the early 
Brethren, this church had a wide mission territory 
in East Virginia, extending over Green, Albemarle, 
Madison, and Orange counties. Finding the field 
too large, it was relieved of much of it by other 
churches. In 1901, Green County was organized into 
the Mt. Carmel congregation with about one hun- 
dred members. S. A. Sanger was chosen to preside 
over this, and Elijah Geer elected to the ministry. At 
the present time this church has about two hundred 
and fifteen members, one minister, five Sunday schools, 
and two Christian Workers' meetings. 

" Mill Creek church at this time has four hundred 
and seventy-five members, four houses of worship, 
six Sunday schools with an enrollment of five hun- 
dred and an average attendance of three hundred, 
and a Sisters' Aid Society of about one hundred and 
fourteen members. This church has produced a num- 
ber of earnest ministers. Among them were Isaac 
Long, Sr., Isaac Long, Jr., John Hershberger, Sr., and 
John Hershberger, Jr. 

" The church is now presided over by Elders H. C. 
Early and Joseph Pence, assisted b}^ Samuel Petry, 
P. H. Showalter, Samuel Pence and C. E. Long." 

On account of prejudices arising from the position 
on slavery and war held by the church, the Brethren 
were a long time effecting an organization in East 
Virginia. At this time, however, there are seven or- 
ganizations with many other members in various 
mission territories. 

Bro. Dennis Weimer, an active minister and for 
many years a zealous worker in the mission field, fur- 

197 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

nished the following concise history of Midland con- 
gregation and adjoining territory: 

" In 1881, Bro. Joel Garber, from Rockingham 
County, Virginia, settled near Midland Station, Fau- 
quier County. Through his influence a number of 
other families located near him. 

" In 1883, by appointment of District Meeting, 
Elders Isaac Long, S. A. Shaver and Daniel Baker 
met in the Midland schoolhouse with forty members 
and effected an organization with Jacob Hedric and 
Abraham Rickard as ministers. At the same time Sol- 
omon Snell was chosen minister and Isaac Long as 
elder in charge. Joseph Shaver and George Shaver 
were deacons. Measures were also adopted to erect 
a house of worship. This was built and dedicated 
the same year. 

" The bounds of the congregation were wide and 
the increase in membership was rapid. This was 
mainly by immigration on account of the cheap land 
at that time. On November 10, 1883, G. F. Tabler, a 
minister, was received by letter. On April 23, 1884, 
Dennis Weimer moved into the congregation and 
Abraham Conner located near Manassas, both of 
whom were ministers. On September 8, 1886, the 
members in Madison County, ten in number, were an- 
nexed to Midland from Mill Creek church by mutual 
consent. 

" Jacob Hedric and Dennis Weimer were ordained 
elders on September 12, 1886. 

" In 1887, the Valley View meetinghouse, near 
Nokesville, was built. 

198 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

'' M. G. Early was elected minister on August 24, 
1889. 

" In 1890, reverses came to the Midland church, 
mainly from local trouble, and, as a result of this, 
Jacob Hedric and Dennis Weimer were deposed from 
the eldership. Now followed some dark days for this 
church, but in all this the members stood firm in the 
faith. Abraham Conner was made pastor and S. H. 
Myers of Timberville elder in charge. 

"On March 10, 1892, S. H. Flory was elected a 
minister and in the same year J. E. Blough and J. 
F. Britton were received by letter. 

" August 27, 1893, J. S. Holsinger, an elder, located 
near Nokesville and the following year was given 
oversight of the church. Andrew Chambers was re- 
ceived by letter in June, 1894. 

" On December 26, 1894, the membership decided 
to divide the territory into three congregations and 
Abraham Conner, M. G. Early and Dennis Weimer 
were appointed to locate the division line. On March 
9, 1895, the committee on lines made their report. 
At the same meeting, Dennis Weimer, by consent of 
District Meeting, was given charge of the Orange 
Mission. 

" On August 1, a final meeting of the three 
churches jointly was held at the Valley View meeting- 
house, at which they agreed to erect a house of wor- 
ship for the Cannon Branch church, near Manassas. 
The meeting was presided over by Elders E. L. 
Brower and J. P. Zigler; and the churches of Nokes- 
ville and Cannon Branch were fully authorized. 

" On the following day at Midland, John Holsinger 

• 199 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

was continued elder in charge of the Midland church 
and Andrew Chambers and Dennis Weimer ministers. 

" On December 5, 1896, S. F. Sanger was received 
by letter and on May 22, 1897, was selected elder in 
charge. 

** On July 22, 1899, the mission territory of Madi- 
son County was organized into a church by S. F. 
Sanger and Dennis Weimer. The latter was chosen 
pastor and Abraham Conner elder in charge. Since 
the organization, on July 31, 1900, F. Utz was elected 
minister. The Madison church has at present thirty- 
two members, and one churchhouse. 

'' In the Midland church on December 2, 1899, J. 
M. Cline and G. W. Chambers were elected ministers. 

"About the year 1866, the Brethren from Mill Creek 
began to preach in Orange County, but no systematic 
work was done. Finally, the territory fell under the 
care of the Midland church, and, as stated above, 
Dennis Weimer became minister in charge. Through 
his efforts and the assistance of the District Mission 
Board, the work grew until November 21, 1904, when 
Orange congregation was organized with twenty- 
seven members. M. G. Early of Nokesville was 
chosen elder in charge and G. W. Chambers minister. 
At present the Orange church has twenty-eight mem- 
bers, one Sunday school with an average attendance 
of eight, one minister, and M. G. Early elder in 
charge. 

" On December 2, 1905, in the Midland church, I. 
D. Byrd was elected minister. At this time the church 
has seventy-five members, three ministers, three church- 
houses, three Sunday schools, and a Christian Work- 

200 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

ers' meeting with an average attendance of forty. 
The church today has a large mission field in 
Fauquier and Culpepper counties. 

**"In the original boundary of the Midland congre- 
gation there are about five hundred members, sixteen 
ministers, twenty-five deacons, six organized churches 
and eight churchhouses, with a number of other build- 
ing used for services." 




Elder M. G. Early. 



The Nokesville Congregation. 

By M. G. Early. 

[M. G. Early, elder in charge of the Nokesville church 
was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, in March, 
1856. He was married to Mattie A. Miller in 1878; united 
with the church in 1880; elected to the ministry in 1899; 
and ordained to the eldership in August, 1901.] 

201 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

" When in March, 1895, the Midland congregation 
was divided into three districts, the middle portion, 
or that which embraced the southern portion of Prince 
William and the northern part of Fauquier counties, 
was designated the Nokesville congregation. In this 
territory were seventy-five members, with three min- 
isters and two deacons. 

'' On the fourth Sunday of July, 1883, Jacob Hedric 
from Midland conducted the first services here, and 
from this time on regular services were held. For an 
account of the principal events as they transpire, the 
reader is directed to the history of the Midland con- 
gregation, of which this was a part. 

" At the time of the organization, J. S. Holsinger 
became elder in charge and continued to serve the 
church in this capacity until March, 1898, when S. 
F. Sanger of Manassas was selected as elder. In May, 

1900, Abraham Conner took charge of the church as 
elder. M. G. Early was ordained to the eldership in 

1901, and from that time on the church was under his 
administration. 

'' D. W. Crist was elected minister in January, 
1903. 

'' G. W. Flory, elected minister in October, 1903. 
"J. F. Flory was called to the ministry in 1906. 

" Other ministers who served the church are I. N. 
H. Beahm, 1897 to 1899 ; J. C. Beahm, from 1897 to 
1904; E. B. Lefever, in 1899; M. H. Spicher, 1900 
to 1904, and I. A. Miller, since 1899. 

"At this writing there are five ministers and six 
deacons with a membership of one hundred and sev- 

202 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

enty-six, two houses of worship, two evergreen Sun- 
day schools with an average attendance of thirty, two 
weekly Christian Workers' meetings, and a Sisters' 
Aid Society. The church has an active local mission 
board, which looks after the needs of the mission ter- 
ritory in Prince 'William, Fauquier and Stafford coun- 
ties. The congregation furnishes funds in the sup- 
port of the different places. At this time there are 
eighteen members in this mission field." 

The Manassas Congregation. 
By E. E. Blough. 

[Bro. E. E. Blough is an active young minister- of the 
Manassas church, but at present is pursuing a course of 
study at Bridgewater College. He is also a member 
of the District Mission Board.] 

*' This was originally a part of the Midland con- 
gregation and was organized into a church on July 
31, 1895, by Elders E. L. Brower, J. P. Zigler and L. 
A. Wenger. At that time there were forty-seven 
members, with Abraham Conner, J. F. Britton and 
Jerome E. Blough ministers, Thomas Holsinger and 
J. T. Baker deacons, and John S. Holsinger elder in 
charge. Cannon Branch churchhouse was built in 
1895. 

*' W. K. Conner was elected minister on November 
13, 1897. 

" E. E. Blough was elected minister on October 
28, 1905. 

" Other records previous to the church can be found 
under history of Midland congregation. At present 

203 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

the membership of the church is seventy-eight, with 
three ministers and five deacons. Abraham Conner, 
who is active and systematic in his work, is elder in 
charge. The congregation owns two churchhouses 
with three places of preaching, three Sunday schools, 
one of which is evergreen, and one Christian Work- 
ers' meeting. An outlying mission territory is worked 
in connection with the home appointments of the 
ministry." 

The Fairfax Church. 
By Louis B. Flohr. 

[Bro. Flohr is a young minister living in Vienna, Vir- 
ginia, and is assistant District Sunday-school Secretary. 
He united with the church on October 15, 1894, in Adams 
County, Pennsylvania. In January 1907, he was elected 
to the ministry by the Fairfax congregation. His wife 
was Elizabeth Kife of Fredrick Countj^ Maryland.] 

" The Fairfax congregation was organized on 
February 7, 1903, from the territory belonging to the 
Manassas church and embraces Fairfax, Alexandria 
and Loudoun counties. The meetinghouse is located 
within the embankment of an old fort at Oakton, 
Fairfax County, in the vicinity where the greater part 
of the members live. 

" The present ministers are Eld. S. A. Sanger, Eld. 
I. :\I. Neff, J. M. Kline, B. F. Miller and Louis B. 
Flohr. Th^re are one hunderd and thirty-six mem- 
bers in the Fairfax church. Four Sunday schools are 
conducted with an enrollment of two hundred and 
twenty-four, which makes an average attendance of 
one hundred and twenty-five. The Christian Work- 

204 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

ers' meeting has an average attendance of forty and 
the Sisters' Aid Society has thirty members. 

" Eld. S. A. Sanger has charge of the church. Be- 
sides the duties incident to his charge, he is zealously 
engaged in missionary endeavor at various points in 
East Virginia. He is a native of Rockingham County 
and was called to the ministry by the Mill Creek 
church in 1880. 

" Elder Albert Hollinger, after serving the Wash- 
ington City church for six years and where he was 
ordained elder in 1898, labored some years in the 
Fairfax church. His home now is at Laurel, Mary- 
land." 

The first establishment of the church in Augusta 
County is so closely connected with the Middle River 
church that a history of this organization tells near 
the whole story. Therefore a short history of the 
Middle River Church by Eld. Levi Garber is here 
given : 

[Eld. Levi Garber is senior in office in the Middle 
River church. He has long been a familiar figure in the 
councils of the church and has served on important com- 
mittees. Born August 21, 1828, united with the church 
August, 1849; elected minister on December 21, 1860, 
and was ordained to the eldership in 1875.] 

Absence of early records makes it difficult to 
definitely fix early dates. However, it was generally 
conceded that Abraham Garber was the first minister. 
According to the inscription on his tombstone, he was 
was born on November 10, 1760, and died February 
16, 1846. He moved from his father's home near 
Flat Rock in 1790 and settled on Middle River. On 

205 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

the gravestone of his eldest son, John, is the state- 
ment that he was born July 14, 1792, and died July 16, 
1854. This inscription states that he labored in the 
ministry for more than thirty years, which would 
place his election to that office in 1824, about the time 
the first meetinghouse was erected. Peter Miller was 
elected minister at the same time. It is known that 
these brethren were advanced to the eldership to- 
gether, and that they labored in the church in the most 
cordial manner. 

" In 1823, the first love-feast was held in an upper 
room of a private dwelling house. At this feast nine 
members communed. The following year the first 
churchhouse was erected as stated above. 

*' Some ten years later Daniel Brower was elected 
minister and a few years later Jacob Brower and 
Martin Garber were chosen ministers. Daniel Brower 
was ordained elder on April 20, 1850. John Miller 
was elected minister soon after this. 

" The membership in Augusta County had now in- 
creased to more than five hundred members. How- 
ever, they were much scattered. This necessitated the 
erection of two houses of worship. Therefore, in 1854 
the Pleasant Valley churchhouse was built and the 
Barren Ridge meetinghouse was erected two years 
later. They were located with the view of dividing 
the Middle River congregation in the near future. 
In the year 1854, the two elders, John Garber and 
Peter Miller, died ; the former in July and the latter 
in August. Their service in the church is worthy of 
special note. Elected at the same time, advanced to 
the eldership together, lived in the closest Christian 

206 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

fellowship, labored together in the ministry for more 
than thirty years in harmony, and closed their earthly 
conflict so near the same time. This is an example 
worthy of our study as laborers for Christ and His 
church. 

"On March 31, 1855, A. D. Garber and John 
Brower were elected ministers. 

'' E. L. Brower and Levi Garber were elected to 
the ministry on December 21, 1860. 

" Daniel Yount was called to the ministry in 1865. 
In the same year the congregation was divided. John 
Miller was ordained to the eldership and placed in 
charge of the Valley congregation, the northern di- 
vision. John Brower was ordained and placed in 
charge of the southern division. Barren Ridge con- 
gregation. Eld. Martin Garber remained in charge 
of the old church. 

"From 1865 to 1877, Brethren John A. Cline, 
Joseph M. Cline and John W. Click were called to the 
ministry. 

" In 1875, Levi Garber was ordained elder. 

" W. B. Yount was chosen minister on August 21, 
1880. 

" J. M. Cline was ordained to the eldership on April 
23, 1885. 

" Daniel C. Flory and A. B. Early were elected 
ministers on March 24, 1888. 

" B. B. Garber was called to the ministry on 
August 25, 1899. 

" D. C. Flory and A. B. Early were ordained elders 
in 1906. 

"George Early was elected to the ministry in 1907. 

• 207 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

" The Middle River church has two Sunday schools 
with an enrollment of one hundred and sixty-five, 
which make an average attendance of one hundred 
and thirty-five. There is one Christian Workers' 
meeting with an average attendance of twenty and a 
Sisters' Aid Society with thirty members. Two hun- 
dred and fifty members live in the home church, with 
seven ministers and two houses of worship. 

" There are twenty-three members, one minister, 
and one house of worship in the mission territory in 
Albemarle County." 

The Pleasant Valley Congregation. 
By Eld. Peter Garber. 

[Eld. Peter Garber, son of Elder Levi Garber, rep- 
resents the sixth generation of the Garber family in Vir- 
ginia and a direct line of ministers except one generation. 
He is a direct descendant of John, who was the first 
minister of the Brethren to settle in northern Vi^'ginia. 
He united with the church, became a minister in 1881, 
and was ordained elder in 1897. He serves the church 
on the board of visitors for Bridgewater College and is 
active in the oversight of the Pleasant Valley church.] 

" The territory of which the Valley congregation is 
comprised originally belonged to Middle River church. 
In 1854, the Pleasant Valley meetinghouse was built 
with a view of its being made a separate organization. 
This, however, was not fully efifected until 1865. 
Then John INIiller was elder and Abraham Garber as- 
sistant minister. 

" In 1869, Daniel Miller was elected to the min- 
istry. 

208 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

" Samuel T. Miller was elected minister in 1874. 
" J. W. Cline was called to the ministry in Sep- 
tember, 1887. 




Elder Peter Garber. 



" Daniel Miller was ordained to the eldership in 
1881. 

" Peter Garber was chosen minister in 1881. 

*' S. D. Miller was elected minister in 1897. 

" Peter Garber was ordained elder in 1897. 

" B. F. Miller was elected minister in 1900. 

'^A. C. Miller was chosen minister in 1902. 

" Perry J. Wenger was elected to the ministry in 
1903. 

209 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

" At present the Pleasant Valley congregation has 
four hundred members, ten ministers, four meeting- 
houses, four Sunday schools with an enrollment of 
four hundred and nine scholars and an average at- 
tendance of two hundred and seventy, three Chris- 
tian Workers' meetings with an average attendance 
of thirty, and a Sisters' Aid Society with thirty-one 
members. 

"In the mission field in Albemarle County, there 
are thirty-five members, one minister, one church- 
house with three meetings per month, and three Sun- 
day schools. 

''At the present time, this church is presided over 
by Elders Daniel Miller, Peter Garber and S. D. Mil- 
ler, and, in addition to the ministry, have an active 
corps of deacons. None of the ministers elected since 
the organization have died. Moreover, A. D. Gar- 
ber, who was elected on March 31, 1855, is the oldest 
in office in the State. Bro. Garber is yet hale and 
hearty." 

The Barren Ridge Church. 

By N. W. Cofifman. 

[Bro. Coffman is an active minister and school-teacher 
living in the Barren Ridge church. His life promises 
to be a very useful one for the Lord.] 

" Barren Ridge organization was formed in 1865 
from a part of the territory belonging to Middle 
River. Nine years prior to this, a meetinghouse was 
erected at this point with the above named object in 
view. At the time of the organization, John B rower 
was ordained to the eldership and placed in charge of 

210 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

the new church. After this, Elder Martin Garber 
moved into the Barren Ridge church, when he and 
Eld. Brower jointly presided over the church until 
1884, when Samuel Driver and E. L. Brower were 
advanced to the eldership. Elders Driver and Brower 
presided jointly until the death of the latter in 1897. 
From that time Eld. Driver had sole charge until the 
ordination of Eld. George A. Phillips in 1904. Eld. 
Phillips now has the oversight of the church. 

'* The following Brethren were elected to the min- 
istry in the Barren Ridge church: 

" H. C. Early, about 1879 or 1880. 

'' J. C. Garber, on August 6, 1884. 

" C. M. Driver and N. Walter Coffman, on August 
12, 1898. 

" H. L. Alley, on February 2, 1907. 

" Four houses of worship have been erected, as fol- 
lows: Barren Ridge second house in 1898, Jarman's 
Gap in 1897, and Blue Ridge Chapel in 1907. 

" The present membership is about three hundred 
with the following ministers : Samuel Driver, George 
Phillips, J. C. Garber, N. Walter Coffman and H. L. 
Alley (at school). The first three named are or- 
dained elders. In the home church there are eight 
regular appointments at three different points, four 
Sunday schools, one of which is evergreen, two Chris- 
tian Workers' meetings, and one Sisters' Aid Society 
with fifteen members. 

" The mission territory embraces Basic Citv and 
part of Albemarle County, which has a membership 
of thirty-five or forty. 

211 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

" The increase in the membership of the Barren 
Ridge church during the year 1907 was fifty-three by 
baptism and five restored." 

Eld. Samuel Driver has long been prominent in the 
affairs of the church in Virginia. He was born April 
22, 1834; united with the church in 1867 and was 
elected to the ministry two years later at the private 
home of Bro. Jacob Zigler, near Churchville, Augusta 
County. The services were conducted by Elders Mar- 
tin Miller and Daniel Thomas of Beaver Creek. In 
1875, Bro. Driver moved to Barren Ridge congrega- 
tion, where he was ordained elder in 1884. In 1904, 
he, at his own request, was relieved from the oversight 
of the church. In his younger days, he was closely 
identified with Bridgewater College. He died Jan. 18, 
1908. 

The Mt. Vernon Church. 

By E. D. Kendig and S. I. Flory. 

[Brethren Kendig and Flory are both active ministers 
in the Mt. Vernon church. Tne former, who served for 
a number of years on the District Mission Board, is elder 
in charge of the Staunton City church and associate in 
the supervision of the Mt. Vernon congregation. The 
latter is an enthusiastic missionary worker and is also 
Sunday-school Secretary of the Second District of Vir- 
ginia.] 

" In the year 1866, Eld. James R. Gish spent the 
summer preaching in what is now known as the Mt. 
Vernon congregation. When he left, there were 
about sixty members. From this time monthly meet- 
ings were held by Brethren from Barren Ridge church 
until 1870, when Bro. Gish came back again. This 

212 




James R. and Barbara Gish. 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

time he preached, canvassed the territory and built a 
house of worship. A church was then organized with 
E. D. Kendig minister. Samuel Forrer and John 
Forrer were chosen later. Other ministers were 
elected as follows : 

" J. R. Kendig, on August 27, 1883. 

" George B. Flory, elected in 1885. 

" Samuel 1. Flory and Justus H. Cline, on Septem- 
ber 3, 1898. 

" The Mt. Vernon church has a large mission terri- 
tory extending over Amherst, Rockbridge and IMelson 
counties. From this territory the Buena Vista church 
was organized in 1905, Avhich at this time has eighty- 
four members, one minister, two houses of worship, 
two Sunday schools with an enrollment of eighty 
scholars, and a Christian Workers' meeting. 

" In the remaining mission field there are sixty- 
four members in Amherst, fifty-nine in Rockbridge, 
and twenty-five in Nelson. In the Alt. Vernon church 
there are ninety-six members with five ministers, four 
churchhouses with ten appointments per month, four 
Sunday schools, one Christian Workers' meeting, and 
one Sisters' Aid Society." 

The Staunton Church. 

Various individual efforts were made to establish a 
church in Staunton by the ministry of the adjacent 
churches during the years from 1890 to 1895. Chief 
among these were Elders Levi A. Wenger, Samuel 
Driver, Enoch L. Brower and E. D. Kendig. From 
this time, the work received the assistance of the Dis- 

214 



SECOND DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA 

trict Mission Board and Eld. D. C. Flory, assisted by 
Sister Sauble, was put in charge of the work. 

On ]\Iay 20, 1898, a church was organized with 
thirty-nine members. Bro. Levi A. Wenger was 
chosen elder in charge and Bro. J. C. Garber pastor. 

On October 6, 1906, under the supervision of Eld. 
E. D. Kendig, Eld. Noah Fisher took charge of the 
work as pastor. Under his ministration, the work 
has prospered. There are now seventy-five members, 
a Sunday school with an average of seventy-five schol- 
ars, one Christian Workers' meeting and a Sisters' 
Aid Society. 

In addition to the mission fields mentioned in con- 
nection with the local churches there is a wide mission 
territory which falls directly under the care of the 
District Mission Board, which is noticed more in de- 
tail in the succeeding chapter. 



215 



CHAPTER X. 

Biographical. 

This history would be incomplete without some of 
the lives of the ministers who so earnestly labored for 
the development of the churches in Virginia. But 
when there are so many deserving names suggested, 
it becomes a matter for much reflection which to 
mention or where to draw the line. If the list grows 
too long it will in itself defeat the purpose of such a 
catalog. In addition to this, it is often .the case and 
for various reasons, the examples that would be most 
helpful to us are little known. However, the follow- 
ing biographies are given with the hope that the 
reader may be inspired to more noble deeds for the 
Master. Wherefore, they are given for ensamples 
unto us. 

The deeds of the earliest ministers are so closely 
interwoven with the records of the church that little 
more need be said of them. Jacob Miller, Peter 
Smith, John Bowman and John Garber have become 
household words. In addition to them other names 
are well known. 

Eld. Benjamin Bowman, Sr., who lived • near 
Greenmount, Rockingham County, Virginia, came to 
the State about 1785. He served the church north of 
Harrisonburg as senior elder for a number of years. 
His name appears repeatedly among the old records. 
He was a well-known minister of unusual attainments 

216 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



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m(<k'r <ik«tib fmhm tcr j?cifnum, tic in i-ud) ifr. 
1 ^i>ct. «, ix 



iSK^ 



^aittfonburg: ^ - ■: 

feet; i!«urvalj il&irtmami, 2Mh«^rti ^Juriti!?' 

: .1817. 




Title Page of Book, " Points on Bap- 
tism," etc., by Elder Peter Bowman. 
The Only Known Copy is Owned by 
Gen. John E. Roller, Harrisonburg, Va., 
by Whose Courtesy this Page is Pre- 
sented. 



217 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

for his time. He was born November 1, 1754, and 
his death occurred in 1829. 



Eld. Peter Bowman was a brother of Benjamin 
and came to the State at the same time. His home 
was south of Harrisonburg. Doubtless these two 
took part in estabhshing the Hne in 1788 running east 
and west through that town. He was also a man of 
strong character and attainments. Some of his writ- 
ings are still extant. A photograph of the title page 
of a book credited to his pen appears on page 217. 



Eld. Martin Garber, son of John Garber, lived 
near his father's home in Shenandoah County. He 
was associated with Eld. Bowman in charge of the 
church north of Harrisonburg. He was very active 
in the ministry and served the church on Standing 
Committee at different times. Like his father, he died 
comparatively a young man. His death, which oc- 
curred in 1814, was considered a great loss to the 
church. 

John Click, who came with Martin Garber to 
Virginia, was also an elder and served the church as 
an assistant for a number of years with commendable 
zeal. He survived Eld. Garber a number of years. 



Mention has previously been made of Yohones 
Kagey as " Kagey the Good Man," but it should be 
remembered that his acts of benevolence in relieving 
physical suffering was not his only great work. He 
was a minister of unusual ability. With his high 

218 



BIOGRAPHICAL 

sense of duty toward his fellow men and great lOve 
for the church, he was a power for good in his com- 
munity and in the surrounding churches. He served 
the church during the first half of the nineteenth 
century. Eld. Kagey was elected minister in 1800 
and ordained elder in 1814. 



Daniel Garber and Yohones Flory were distin- 
guished elders in Upper Rockingham. They were 
brothers-in-law and labored in much harmony for the 
church. Associated with them were John Brower, 
John Wine, Joseph Miller, Daniel Yount, and Isaac 
Long, Sr. These Brethren laid the foundation for the 
strong churches of Cooks Creek, Beaver Creek, 
Bridgewater and Mill Creek. 



Abraham Garber was born November 10, 1760, 
and died February 16, 1848. Fifty-eight years of his 
life were spent in Augusta County, Virginia. The 
first of these years he spent as a pioneer preacher. 
The latter years, he was the elder of the Middle River 
church, of which he was the founder. 

Among the Brethren who made early settlements in 
southwest Virginia was Eld. Abraham Crumpacker, 
He was born in Carroll County, Maryland, in the 
month of November, 1767. His father was also a 
minister and died while preaching. His widowed 
mother moved to Rockingham County about the time 
the Brethren first settled in that part of the State. Eld. 
Crumpacker's opportunity for an education was lim- 
ited. Yet he was able to read the Bible in both the 
English and German languages. He united with the 

219 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

church when he was nineteen years old ; married Alary 
Rife on December 25, 1792. To this union twelve 
children, five boys and seven girls, were born. His 
ministerial labors began soon after his marriage. 
After serving the church for some years, he with two 
of his brothers moved to Bedford County, Virginia. 
Here he met with the misfortune of losing five of his 
children. Three of them died in the month of Septem- 
ber, 1802. In this church he was ordained elder. In 
September, 1818, he moved to Botetourt County and 
served the church here forty years. His unusually 
clear memory, together with his thorough knowledge 
of the Bible, made a concordance unnecessary. Much 
of his time was devoted to the church. After the 
death of his wife on May 25, 1851, he lived with his 
sons-in-law, George Bair and Eld. Jonas Graybill. At 
his request, B. F. Moomaw was ordained elder in 
1858. 

During his long life he never took medicine from 
a doctor, but in his last illness he called for the elders, 
to be anointed. He died on April 22, 1859, at the ripe 
age of ninety-one years. The funeral services were 
conducted by Elders Peter Nininger, B. F. Aloomaw 
and David Plaine. Two of his sons were ministers, 
and four of his grandsons and nine of his great-grand- 
sons fill that important office at this time. 



Eld. Austin Hylton was also one of the pioneer 
preachers of the Brethren Church in southwestern 
Virginia. He was called to the ministry in 1829 by 
the ''West Arm" of the Floyd County church and 
was ordained to the eldership eight years later. At 
220 



BIOGRAPHICAL 

his request Chrisley Bowman was also ordained at the 
same time. About 1850, he moved to east Tennessee 
and located on Boones Creek in the Knob Creek con- 
gregation. Soon after this his wife died. In a second 
marriage he united with the widow Bowman, who was 
the mother of the late Eld. George C. Bowman. Eld. 
Hylton died in 1879, at the age of eighty-five years. 
All of his children went with him to Tennessee, except 
his oldest son, Hardin P., who remained in Virginia. 
Eld. Austin Hylton was not a very fluent speaker, but 
he lived an exemplary life. 



The name Naf¥ appears very prominently among 
the churches in southwest Virginia. Among them 
were some of the most noted preachers in that part of 
the State. Of this number. Eld. Abraham Naff was 
very distinguished in his day. He was born on Feb- 
ruary 25, 1806; married Hannah Peters, April 6, 
1830 ; and died, February 6, 1873. In his time he trav- 
eled and preached much. He attended a number of 
Annual ]\Ieetings and served on important committees. 
Much of his time was given to the welfare of the 
church at home and also in outlying mission territory. 



So much has already been written concerning Eld. 
John Kline and so frequently does his name appear on 
the pages of this volume, that it would seem almost 
useless to make further mention of him. Yet the serv- 
ice he rendered the Virginia church is of such unusual 
character, and he was so widely known throughout 
the Brotherhood, that at least a short biography of 
him should appear here. At no time has any minister 

221 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

appeared more prominently among the Virginia 
churches than Eld. Kline, and it is a matter of doubt 
if this statement does not equally apply to the entire 
Brotherhood. And it was not only with the church 
that his marked ability was recognized. Public men in 
almost every position had much regard for his su- 
perior judgment. Nothing that would tend to the 
advancement of the public good seemed too inconsid- 
erable for his attention. As a physician he was suc- 
cessful, and he possessed the much coveted ability to 
adapt himself to the conditions that surrounded him 
and their needs. But it was for the church in much 
humility and earnestness of spirit that he devoted his 
powers, limited only by his endurance. On June 17, 
1856, he wrote : 

" This day I am fifty-nine years of age. When I 
was young my ambition led me to hope that I might 
some day attain to distinction in the world, and leave 
an imperishable name. I own with shame before my 
God, that my heart was full of vanity. I now thank 
him that he has led me to know and feel myself but a 
poor sinner redeemed. I am wholly dependent upon 
him for all that I am or ever shall be. Lord Jesus, 
may I live to glorify thee, and thee only. I believe 
thy truth. I trust thy love. May thy glory be the 
end of all my efforts in life, and thy love the propel- 
ling power in all I do. Hallowed be thy name, hot my 
name. TJiy will be done, not my will. Give me grace 
thus ever to pray and to walk humbly before thee." 
" Life of John Kline," page 374. 

Eld. Kline was born in Dauphin County, Pennsyl- 
vania, June 17, 1797. About fourteen years later he 

222 



BIOGRAPHICAL 

came with his parents to Virginia, They settled in 
Rockingham County, near where the Linville Creek 
church now stands, and where he resided the remain- 
der of his hfe. He united with the church while he 
was yet young as evidenced by old papers. On March 
10, 1818, he was married to Anna Wampler. He was 
elected deacon in 1827, chosen minister in 1830, and 
ordained elder on April 13, 1848. In this office he 
served faithfully until the tragic end came on June 
15, 1864, as stated elsewhere in this volume. Eld. 
Kline served the church under many important ap- 
pointments. He was also moderator of Annual Meet- 
ing a number of times. But it was among the Vir- 
ginia churches and the outlying mission territory that 
the greater part of his important work was done. 
During the Civil War his service to the Brethren was 
of an invaluable character and for whom he gave his 
life. His death was that of a martyr if there ever was 
one. However, these events are fully given in an- 
other chapter. 



Closely associated with the name of Eld. John Kline 
is that of Eld. B. F. Moomaw. So intimately were 
the acts of their lives interwoven for a number of 
3^ears, that to write the biography of the one would 
be to relate many of the experiences of the other. 
Although their homes were separated by nearly one 
hundred miles, their visits to each other were not in- 
frequent and this distance was made on horseback. 
Their correspondence shows a most lively interest in 
each other's welfare and devotion to the church. Eld. 

223 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

Moomaw was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, 
March 30, 1814, where he Hved until his death on 
November 6, 1901. He was ordained elder in 1858 
and for a number of years before this he was quite 
active in the councils of the church. For many years 
he was a prominent figure at the Annual Meetings and 
was well known throughout the Brotherhood. His 
service on a number of important committees is well 
known, but, like his associate. Eld. Kline, it was 
among the Virginia churches and the adjacent mis- 
sion territory that his greatest work was done. Dur- 
ing the Civil War his service in behalf of his Brethren 
was fruitful of much good for their welfare. Eld. 
Moomaw was a fearless, aggressive worker for the 
Lord and his church ; and his name will be revered as 
long as the worth of a good name and memory shall 
last. 



Eld. Benjamin Bowman, son of Eld. Benjamin 
Bowman, Sr., lived at Greenmount, Rockingham 
County. He was born on June 28, 1785. In his 
younger days Eld. Bowman is said to have been a 
wayward youth, but his father and mother were so 
solicitous for the welfare of their son that they made 
him an object of their earnest entreaties during their 
evening devotions. On one occasion young. Benjamin 
chanced to hear these intercessions in his behalf and 
it so wrought upon him that it entirely changed his 
life. His service to the church during his long minis- 
try was of a most distinguished character. He was 
elected deacon May 31, 1818, ordained elder in 1837 
and departed this life on April 9, 1872. 

224 



BIOGRAPHICAL 

Eld. Daniel Miller also lived near Greenmount 
and his election to the ministry was at the same time 
as that of Eld. Bowman, as shown in the records of 
the Greenmount church. He also served that congre- 
gation as elder for a number of years. Eld. Miller 
was an earnest worker, but labored under the disad- 
vantage of not having the use of the English language. 
However, he did much good work. Yet the greatest 
record of his life is the gift of the noble family of 
nine boys and nine girls to the church. A number of 
his sons became prominent ministers. 



Eld. Harden P. Hylton, son of Eld. Austin Hyl- 
ton, was born in Floyd County, Virginia, November 
11, 1822. His parents were quite poor and he was 
never permitted to attend but three months of 
school. Although deprived of the usual opportunities, 
he secured education sufficient to meet the demands 
of the day. He was full of energy and was deter- 
mined to see better days. On October 8, 1843, he 
united with the church and one year later was elected 
deacon. In 1846 he was chosen minister and was 
ordained elder in 1850. In 1844 he was married to 
Frances Bowman. To this union were born nine chil- 
dren, of whom three, John W. B., Chrisley D., and 
Solomon P., are elders in the church. Eld. Hylton 
was active in the ministry for about fifty years. He 
was aggressive in his undertakings, yet he regarded 
the wishes of others. During the war, he baptized 
many, and while some of his neighbors were forced 
into the war or to hiding in the brush, their wives and 
children shared his hospitality. He was a friend to 

225 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

the poor. Bro. Hylton did much to encourage the 
development of his country. He served on several 
committees in his State district and several times 
served on the Standing Committee. His companion 
died February 15, 1898. He married Sister Sarah 
Carter, who survives him. He died on December 24, 
1905, at the age of eighty-three years, one month, and 
thirteen days. 

Eld. Daniel Thomas, whose home was near 
Spring Creek, Rockingham County, was one of the 
most active ministers in his day. In the estimation of 
Eld. John Kline, Eld. Thomas had few equals as a 
public speaker. He was also prominent in the councils 
of the church although he died comparatively a young 
man. 



Eld. Jacob Miller, son of Daniel, lived in the 
Greenmount church. He was elected minister on 
April 13, 1849; ordained elder in 1859; and died in 
1889. He was an interesting speaker, persuasive in 
manner and pleasing in person. For many years he 
was writing clerk of District Meeting and before the 
publication of the minutes a number of them appear 
in his handwriting. 



The Yount family originated in the liberty-loving 
country of Switzerland. The ancestor of the Ameri- 
can branch of the family emigrated to the United 
States in an early day and settled in York County, 
Pennsylvania. Later, in company with his two sons, 
he removed to the vicinity of Broadway, Virginia. 

226 



BIOGRAPHICAL 

Of these sons, Joseph, grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch, again removed in 1808 to the neighbor- 
hood of Crimora, Augusta County. Their eldest son, 
Samuel, then six years old, on coming to manhood 
married Eliza Whitmore. Their second child was 
Daniel, in whose memory this is written. 




Elder Daniel Yount. 

Eld. Daniel Yount was born near Crimora, Vir- 
ginia, October 28, 1832. Reared on a farm, he was 
early taught habits of truthfulness, respect for reli- 
gion, industry and economy. He received only a 
common-school education, but by observation, read- 
ing and some travel, he became possessed of a consid- 

227 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

erable fund of valuable information. He became a 
minister of the Brethren Church in 1872. On January 
20, 1885, he was killed by. a railroad train. In 1857 
he married Margaret C, daughter of Daniel P. Bow- 
man, deceased. She died at Bridgewater, Virginia, 
March 1, 1902. They had one child, Walter B. 

In reading over the minutes and committee reports, 
a number of different names are seen appended. 
Among them are the names of John Harshberger, Sr., 
John Harshberger, Jr., Isaac Long, Sr., and Isaac 
Long, Jr. These were all ministers of the Mill Creek 
congregation, Rockingham County. All of these 
Brethren were deeply consecrated to the cause of the 
Master. They were in their time among the most 
enthusiastic missionaries in Virginia. They served the 
Mill Creek church jointly as ministers and elders for 
many years, as shown by the history of that church. 



Bro. Abraham Garber was born December 19, 
1824. He united with the church in 1847 and was 
elected minister on March 3i, 1855. He has faith- 
fully served the Pleasant Valley church, Augusta 
County, as minister for fifty-three years and bears the 
distinction of being the oldest in that office in the Sec- 
ond District of Virginia, if not in the entire State. At 
this writing he still enjoys good health. ' 



Eld. Daniel Hays, the character of this sketch, is 
well known to many of the readers of these pages. 
He has frequently attended the Annual Conferences 
for a number of years and has been a member of the 

228 



BIOGRAPHICAL 

Tract Examining Committee and the Messenger 
Advisory Committee. In addition to this he has at 
different times represented the Second District of 
Virginia at Annual Meeting and served under ap- 




Snapshot, by Sister Sadie Zigler. of 
Elder Daniel Hays at His Desk 
V^here He Wrote " The Ol- 
ive Branch of Peace." 



pointment on special important work of the church. 
At this writing he is senior elder of the Linville Creek 
church. 

As a writer, Eld. Hays is well and favorably known. 
He has contributed valuable .articles on Bible doc- 
trine, history and biography to the Gospel Messenger 

229 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

and other periodicals from time to time. But as 
author of " The OUve Branch of Peace," he did his 
most far-reaching work. 

He is a native of Hampshire County, now in West 
Virginia. He was born on May 16, 1839. In the year 
1862 he united with the church, was elected minister 
in 1867, and ordained elder at Flat Rock, Shenandoah 
County, in 1879. On September 3, 1873, Eld. Hays 
was married to Sarah Myers. To this union have 
been born five children, two sons and three daughters. 



Eld. Benjamin Miller was born September 29, 
1829. He united with the church in 1853, elected 
minister in 1866, and was ordained elder a few years 
after. He is at this writing senior elder of the Green- 
mount congregation, but is not actively engaged in 
ministerial duties. In time of the Civil War, while 
the Brethren were in prison, he took an active part in 
securing their release. 

Eld. Miller was twice married. His first union was 
with Hettie Showalter, from which seven children 
are yet living and are active workers in the church. 
On November 28, 1899, he was married to Catherine 
Fitzwater. At this time he resides with his son, 
Samuel, four miles northwest of Harrisonburg. 



Eld. Jacob Wine was elected minister on April 8, 
1846, and was ordained elder April 18, 1857. During 
his long ministry, he served the Flat Rock church 
faithfully and was aggressive in every line of church 
work. 

230 



BIOGRAPHICAL 

Although the space allotted to this catalog is rapidly 
taken, yet there remain many examples of sacrifice 
and devotion to duty untold. It is with regret that 
such lives as were lived by Peter Nininger, John A. 
Cline, Levi A. Wenger, Samuel Wampler, Samuel 
Zigler, Christian Wine, Daniel Baker, Jacob Thomas, 
Fredric Wampler, Michael Good, George Shaver, 
Daniel Miller, Joseph Wampler and others, and that 
the acts of such aggressive workers as Samuel Crum- 
packer, J. A. Dove, Martin Rothgeb, J. W. Wampler, 
Daniel P. Wine, John F. Driver, Jacob A. Garber, 
Peter Thomas, Benjamin Neff, Abraham Thomas and 
many others, whose names do not appear elsewhere in 
this volume, should not be used to exemplify Chris- 
tian devotion for the benefit of the rising generation. 
But only an additional few in the activities of life can 
still be gfiven. 



Walter B. Yount, president of Bridgewater Col- 
lege since 1892, was born near Crimora, Virginia, 
June 22, 1859. He has been a student all his life and 
is a graduate of Juniata College, Huntingdon, Penn- 
sylvania, and of the National Schools of Elocution 
and Oratory of Philadelphia. He was a student at 
the University of Virginia for six years; and also 
took special Bible work under Doctors Harper and 
Price, and Elocution under Dr. Clark in the Univer- 
sity of Chicago. His services to Bridgewater College 
have been of a most unusual character, the limits of 
which can not be given in a biographical sketch. He 
has served the Brethren Church as a minister since 
1892. 

231 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

Pres. Yount has been twice married. The first 
union was with Minnie B. Andes. On July 10, 1907, 
he was married to Emma J. Eller, near Daleville, Vir- 
ginia. Carl and Dee, two boys rapidly building up 
to manhood, bless their home. 



Eld. H. C. Early was born on a farm in Augusta 
County, Virginia, May 11, 1855. In addition to the 
public schools in the community in which he lived, 
he attended the Shenandoah Valley Normal School 
two terms, but never completed a regular course. At 
an early age the study of medicine had special attrac- 
tion for him and was only prevented by obstacles that 
seemed unsurmountable. 

Bro. Early united with the church December 12, 
1876; was elected minister November 6, 1880; and 
was ordained elder in August, 1898. He became ac- 
tive in the ministry and devoted much of his time to 
evangelistical work, but of late years other duties, 
much to his regret, interfere with that line of Chris- 
tian work. At the present he is senior elder of the 
Mill Creek church. 

Eld. Early is widely known as a speaker and writer 
of ability. He has been a regular contributor for the 
Gospel Messenger for twenty-seven years and now 
serves on the editorial staff of that periodical. He is 
a member of the General Missionary and Tract Com- 
mittee and has served under other important appoint- 
ments of both the District and General Conferences. 
At the present time his life promises much additional 
usefulness for the Lord. 

On May 25, 1876, he was married to Mary A. Sho- 
232 



BIOGRAPHICAL 

waiter. From this union have been given to them six 
children, five girls and one boy. 



Eld. D. C. Flory was born on a farm near New 
Hope, Augusta County, Virginia, April 3, 1854. He 
united with the church in August, 1877; was married 
to Kate Driver December 23, 1880 ; elected minister 
in March, 1888; and ordained elder in 1906. 

In his youth Bro. Flory had the benefit of the or- 
dinary school of the community in which he lived and 
also the high school of New Hope. He studied for 
three sessions at the University of Virginia. During 
the session of '78 to '79, he taught in the Juniata 
College of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. In 1880 he 
established the Spring Creek Normal School, which 
afterward developed into Bridge water College. 

Eld. Flory has been for some years engaged in 
evangelistic work, but at the present he devotes much 
of his time to the oversight of the Middle River con- 
gregation. 



The valuable service rendered the church by Bro. 
G. B. Holsinger demands a sketch of his life here. He 
was born May 10, 1857, in Bedford County, Pennsyl- 
vania. He traces his ancestry to the founders of the 
Brethren Church, being the sixth generation from 
Alexander Mack. At the age of eighteen he united 
with the church. 

The first twenty-five years of his life were spent on 
his father's farm, five winters of which he was en- 
gaged in teaching pubHc school. Naturally fond of 

233 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

music, he gave it much self study from childhood. 
At the age of seventeen he became his own instructor 
in instrumental music, soon learning to play at sight 
any Sunday-school music, church tune or anthem. A 
year later he attended his first singing school, after 




George B. Holsinger. 



which he did some class teaching.. In order to be 
thoroughly qualified to follow his chosen profession, 
he attended a number of musical normals conducted 
by the foremost teachers of the day. In two instances 
he was awarded first prize in musical composition. 

At the founding of Bridgewater College, he became 
teacher of the department of music, which position he 

234 



• BIOGRAPHICAL 

held for sixteen years. Having been elected musical 
editor of the Brethren Publishing House in 1898, he 
resigned his position in the college. 

During these years he has edited or assisted in 
editing ten popular music books, some of which are 
" Psalms and Hymns," " Gospel Songs and Hymns 
No. 1," " Song Praises," " The Brethren Hymnal," 
etc. His more than two hundred musical composi- 
tions are found in over one hundred and fifty different 
music books. He has directed the music at nine suc- 
cessive Annual Meetings of the Brethren Church. 

Since 1898, in connection with the editing of music 
books, he has been engaged in teaching vocal music 
classes in many of the churches of the Brotherhood. 
He is devoted to the church and in his teaching ever 
tries to inspire all with the true worshipful spirit of 
sacred song. 

In 1884 he was united in marriage with Sallie A. 
Kagey of Bridgewater, Virginia. One living son, 
Clyde, blesses their union. 



Bro. John W^ Wayland is an example of what a 
Virginia boy can accomplish by close application while 
comparatively young. He was born December 8, 
1872;- joined the church September 1, 1889; and 
elected minister in 1894. On June 8, 1899, he was 
married to Mattie Virginia Fry. He completed, the 
B. A. course at Bridgewater College in 1899, and was 
finally awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 
by the University of Virginia in 1907. During the 
time of his tutelage at these institutions, Dr. Wayland 
won distinction as a student. 

235 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

He has distinguished himself as a writer. In addi- 
tion to the valuable contributions to the church period- 
icals, he has written much and on a wide range of 
subjects. " The Germans of the Valley " and " Life of 




John W. Wayland. 

the Apostle Paul " are products of his pen. He also 
served as editor-ii 
Past and Present." 



served as editor-in-chief of '' Bridgewater College 



William K. Conner, who for a number of years 
has been working under the supervision of the Dis- 
trict Mission Board at Newport News, Virginia, was 
born at Royersford, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1873. 

236 



BIOGRAPHICAL 




William K. Conner. 



He received the degree of B. E. at Bridgewater Col- 
lege in 1899: He has taught in the Prince William 
Normal School and . in Bridgewater College. He 
united with the church in 1893 and was elected minis- 
ter in 1897. 



Bro. J. Carson Miller, for a number of years Sec- 
retary of the District Mission Board, was born March 
18, 1861, near Moores Store, Shenandoah County, 
Virginia. He completed the Latin-Scientific course 
at Mt. Morris College in 1882. He afterward studied 
at the same institution and at the University of Vir- 
ginia. For nine years he w^as Professor of Mathemat- 
ics and Science at Bridgewater College. He united 
with the church in 1887 and, was called to the ministry 

237 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

August 20, 1897. In September, 1889, he was married 
to Ida May Smith. 



George W. Flory, with his wife, Abbie, has done 
very successful evangeUstic work among the Virginia 
churches. H^ was born in 1870. In October, 1903, 




Brother and Sister George W. Flory. 

he was elected minister in the Nokesville church. He 
is now taking further studies at Bridgewater College 
and also serves the Board of Trustees in the important 
position of solicitor for that institution. 

It is not only in Virginia that her children live 
earnest lives for the Master, but wherever they go 
beautiful examples of devotion to the truth and right 
are to be seen. The statement is made, that there are 
more native-born Virginians Irving outside the State 
than within her borders. It is not certain, however, 

238 



BIOGRAPHICAL 

that this would appl}' to the Brethren. Yet it is known 
that many have gone from their ancestral homes and 
they can be found as presidents and teachers in the 
literary schools and colleges, in the front rank of the 
work of the Sunday school, and in the important call- 
ing of the ministry. It is with a pardonable degree 
of pride that they who remain within the shadows of 
the sanctuary of their childhood look upon the suc- 
cesses of their kindred in other States and foreign 
climes. 



239 



CHAPTER XI. 

Missionary, Educational, Sunday School, and Charitable 
Work of the Church. — General Review — Conclusion. 

More than forty-two years have passed since the 
surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, which 
virtually ended the dreadful war. During this time, 
a momentous struggle has been enacted by Virginia 
to restore her once proud position among her sister 
States. In this her bitter tears of sorrow and repent- 
ance for the unwise act of 1861 availed her nothing. 
With her public institutions broken down, her treas- 
ury bankrupt, and her people stricken with a poverty 
beyond the description of pen, the race with an un- 
sympathizing world was an unequal one. However, 
true to the character of her people, these years have 
wrought wonders and her star is again floating over 
the Land of the Free with ever-increasing splendor. 

Not unlike the struggle of the State, has been the 
experience of the Brethren in Virginia, as a church, 
against the evils arising from the influence of war, 
and the effort to extend the kingdom of Christ under 
adverse conditions. iVs truly as the pages of history 
show that all peoples have been affected by their en- 
vironments, so surely have the Virginia churches had 
to meet problem after problem peculiar to the influ- 
ences that surrounded them. 

The period of privation and suffering had changed 
their position in the front rank for best methods in 
all good work to a struggle for self-existence, which 

240 



MISSIONARY WORK 

was followed by years requiring the simplest and 
most inexpensive procedure for the Lord's cause. 
Wherefore, the application of these methods during 
this time caused them to crystallize in the public mind, 
and it required years of patient labor to introduce 
plans differing from them. This, however, was ac- 
complished, and the Virginia churches have an organ- 
ization in missionary, educational, Sunday-school and 
charitable work that could be studied with profit by 
more pretentious people. 

Under the title of the different districts, the ad- 
vancement of the church from the local organizations 
to the multiplication of others has been chronicled. 
In this chapter, it is the purpose to notice the devel- 
opment of some of the potent forces that augmented 
this work. In order to do this in a comprehensive 
manner, it is necessary to make mention of the work 
of each district separately. 

The Missionary Work of the First District of 

Virginia. 

By Eld. D. N. Eller. 

[Eld. D. N. Eller, son of Eld. John W. Eller, was born 
November 16, 1862, near Salem, Roanoke County, Vir- 
ginia. His early life was spent on his father's farm and 
he had the advantages afforded by the public schools of 
the county. At the age of eighteen, he began teaching 
school. In 1885, he entered Bridgewater College and 
graduated two years later in the English Course. Sub- 
sequent to this, he taught in the public school three years. 
In 1891, he entered Botetourt Normal College as instruct- 
or in English and Philosophy and became president of 
that institution three years later, which position he holds 

241 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

at this writing. Pres. Eller was elected minister in 
1888 and ordained to the eldership in 1904. He has been 
secretary of the District Mission Board since 1898.] 

The Mission Board of the First District of Virginia 
was organized on August 23, 1885, at the Valley 
meetinghouse in Botetourt County, when a constitu- 
tion and by-laws were adopted. The board at that 
time was composed of B. F. Moomaw, Jonas Gray- 
bill, J. M. Hayslett, Joel Naff and H. M. Garst. For 
a number of years, little was done. However, some 
assistance was given in building meetinghouses and 
filling appointments among isolated members. 

The board was, reorganized in 1889 with some, ad- 
vancement in the work, but not much mission money 
could be raised. In 1899, the District Meeting de- 
cided that a district evangelist should be put in the 
field and the services of Eld. C. D. Hylton were 
secured for two years. Eld. Charles M. Yearout and 
others served subsequent to that time. 

In June, 1902, a charter was secured from the 
Legislature by which the board can legally hold prop- 
erty. Since then several thousand dollars of endow- 
ment fund has been raised. 

At the present time, a mission is supported at 
Charlestown, West \^irginia, and at points in Mercer 
and Raleigh counties, same State. Beside these, there 
are a number of other points that receive a partial 
support. 

The spirit of missions has grown much in this time. 
Our collection at District Meeting increased from $11 
to $150 in five years. In 1890, the board raised and 
expended $172.13, and in 1907, the receipts and ex- 

242 



MISSIONARY WORK 

penditures were $1, '266.71. At this time the resources 
amount to $2,362.64. Aside from this, much indi- 
vidual effort is being put forth for the Lord and two 
missionaries are supported in India. 



The Missionary Work of the Second District of 

Virginia. 

It is most natural that the effort to secure an organ- 
ization in missionary endeavor should meet the same 
•obstacles in the Second District of Virginia as that in 
the First, as the conditions surrounding' the churches 
were identical. Therefore, it required years to evolve 
a plan acceptable to all. During all this time, there 
were aggressive individuals and the subject was 
brought before District Meeting repeatedly in the 
form of queries, petitions, and plans submitted. This 
can be seen in the minutes of District Meeting very 
soon after the records were preserved. These plainly 
show that the sentiment was strongly favorable to 
congregational endeavor rather than central organiza- 
tion. 

In 1878, the following query was presented to Dis- 
trict Meeting, which was passed with the appended 
answer : 

As there are many calls for preaching everywhere, 
would it not be advisable for this District to set apart 
or select two or four Brethren to go and preach the 
Gospel in those places, wherever they may be called 
or think it good to do so, and establish the doctrine of 
the Brethren ; the District to have control of the 
Brethren in this matter, and they report to District 
Meeting, and the District bear the burden? (We ask 
a prayerful consideration of this important matter.) 

243 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

Answer. — We make no change for the present, but 
earnestly, request more perseverance under our present 
system. We do not desire, however, to prohibit any 
congregation from sending ministers as proposed in 
the query. 

Later queries received m.uch the same answers ex- 
cept that the congregations were urged to see that the 
famiHes of Brethren do not suffer while they are away 
preaching the Gospel. In 1885, in response to a re- 
quest that a missionary plan be adopted in accord 
with the recommendation of Annual fleeting of 1884,' 
the District Meeting replied as follows : 
" We urge each congregation to appoint a committee 
of brethren in their respective congregations to re- 
ceive all calls, and see that they are filled by a minis- 
ter, and pay the expenses if necessary. This plan is 
adopted." 

The following year, a formal request was made 
for a District Mission Board. In response to this, a 
committee was appointed to look into the advisability 
of such a plan and in the meantime the churches were 
urged to carry out the recommendation of the previ- 
ous year. For some reason, the names of this com- 
mittee were not given, but it is supposed to have been 
composed of S. A. Shave^, John A. Cline and S. F. 
Sanger. To the District Meeting of 1887 they sub- 
mitted the following missionary plan : 

First. That the District be subdivided as follows : 
First Division : Alt. \'ernon, Barren Ridge, Middle 
River, Pleasant Valley, Mill Creek and Midland. Sec- 
ond Division : ^Moscow, Beaver Creek and Cook's 
Creek. Third Division : Greenmount, Linville Creek, 
Flat Rock, Woodstock, Salem, Lost River and Page. 

244 



MISSIONARY WORK 

Second. That a Corresponding Secretary be ap- 
pointed in each subdivision who shall serve for a 
term of two years. 

Third. That each local church appoint solicitors 
to raise the required funds, and a treasurer whose 
duty it shall be to receive all funds collected by the 
solicitors of said local church, and report amount col- 
lected to corresponding secretary of the division 
quarterly. The above-named Treasurer shall hold 
said funds until called for by his corresponding sec- 
retary. 

Fourth. It shall be the duty of the corresponding 
secretary, with the treasurer of his local church, to 
receive calls for preaching made within their territory, 
and if necessary see that said calls are filled by proper 
lirethren, whose expenses and other burdens shall be 
borne so far as they may think proper — out of the 
funds held by the local treasurers. 

Fifth. It is understood that these arrangements 
shall not interfere with the arrangement of any local 
church in their efforts to spread the Gospel. But 
when assistance is needed they should confer with the 
corresponding secretary of their subdivision, whose 
duty it shall be to call for assistance from the other 
local churches, and when necessary call on the secre- 
taries of the other subdivisions for assistance. 

Sixth. It shall be the duty of the corresponding 
secretaries of each subdivision to make an annual re- 
port to the District ^Meeting of the number of calls 
made and filled, and the amount of money collected 
and disbursed by them. 

Seventh. We earnestly request all our dear breth- 
ren and sisters to give this work their prayers and 
support and especially urge all our Elders to adopt 
and foster the above plans. 

John A. Cline was appointed corresponding secre- 
tary of the first division, S. F. Sanger of the second 

245 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

division, and S. A. Shaver of the third division. Some 
good work was accompHshed under its provisions ; 
but its greatest usefulness was to prepare the churches 
for the reception of a plan submitted a few years later. 
In the meantime, numerous requests were made for 
district evangelists to be put in the field and for a 
general revision of the missionary plan of the district. 
Finally, the District Meeting of 1894 appointed E. D. 
Kendig, H. C. Early and D. H. Zigler, a committee 
to draft, a plan more nearly in accord with the request 
of Annual Meeting, which made the following report 
to District Meeting of 1895 : 

First. That this District Meeting appoint five 
Brethren sound in the faith, fully awake to missionary 
work, well acquainted with the needs of the District, 
suitably located, to be known as the Church Erection 
and Missionary Board of the Second District of Vir- 
ginia. 

Second. That said Board is to be composed of 
Brethren selected from the ministers, deacons, and 
laymen of the District, and that two of them be ap- 
pointed for three years, two for two years, and one 
for one year. All vacancies by expiration of term of 
office or otherwise, be filled by District Meeting. 

Third. That said Board have the right to effect 
her own organization, and enact such regulations as 
may be found necessary to carry on the work in har- 
mony with this plan. It shall be the duty of the 
Treasurer of this Board to act as District Treasurer 
of the General ]\Iissionary Fund. 

Fourth. That said Board secure one or more 
Brethren as District Evangelists, in sympathy with 
the doctrine of the Brethren, and keep them constantly 
employed, if possible, where they are most needed. 
And further, it shall be the privilege of the Board to 

246 



MISSIONARY WORK 

engage suitable brethren for certain fields, as their 
judgment may direct. 

Fifth. That all the local churches appoint solicitors 
to collect funds for the use of the Board in carrying 
forward the provisions of this plan. The establish- 
ment of a fund by donation, bequest, etc., is recom- 
mended ; the interest of which shall be used for mis- 
sionary purposes. 

Sixth. That said Board shall build, or assist in 
building, houses of worship, where in their judgment 
is necessary. 

Seventh. That said Board may cooperate with the 
different congregations in their evangelistic work, but 
shall in no way interfere with it.. 

Eighth. That said Board make a full report to each 
District Meeting of money received, how expended, 
results accomplished, and the condition of the field. 

Under the provisions of this plan, J. M. Kagey, E. 
D. Kendig, Anthony Miller, George Miller and D. H. 
Zigler were appointed the first Board. 

The following year, $302.30 was collected for dis- 
trict missions and about the same amount expended. 
In addition to this, $61.45 was received for general 
mission work and $500 endowment fund. In order to 
handle the endowment fund with safety, it was nec- 
essary for the Board to be incorporated, but in the 
application for a charter, unexpected difiiculties were 
encountered. The Virginians in their struggle to 
throw off the State church, described in a preceding 
chapter, were influenced to the other extreme. 
Wherefore they adopted a constitution, a provision in 
which forbade the granting of a charter to a religious 
body. In the hope of a solution of the problem, the 

247 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

Board appealed to District Meeting of 1896 as 
follows : 

We, the Mission Board of the Second District of 
Virginia, respectfully request the District Meeting of 
1896 to instruct us how to proceed in order to become 
a body capable of transacting business in a safe and 
legitimate way. Signed in behalf of the Board. 

E. D. Kendig, Sec. J. M. Kagey, Chairman. 

Answer. — We authorize the District Mission Board 
to take such steps as are necessary to transact busi- 
ness in a safe and legal way. 

Trustees were appointed and Confirmed by the 
court to hold such funds. Subsequently, a constitu- 
tional convention assembled in Richmond and a char- 
ter was procured, which enables the Board to legally 
hold endowment, bequests and property of any kind. 

In order to more fully secure the cooperation of 
all the churches and broaden the usefulness of the 
work in general, the Board made the following peti- 
tion to District Meeting of 1899, which was granted: 

In order to make our District Mission work more 
efficient, will not District Meeting direct that each 
church of the Second District of Virginia appoint a 
local committee whose duty shall be to cooperate with 
the District Alission Board in order to interest all our 
members in District Missions, and in looking up the 
needs of the respective fields, and securing suitable 
Brethren to work them. 

A number of these committees have done excellent 
work in the respective fields of the local churches. 
In addition to this, they have proven a veritable bu- 
reau of information as to available workers, as well 

248 



MISSIONARY WORK 

as the needs of the respective fields and the work in 
general. In this way, the District Mission Board be- 
comes a medium through which every part of the 
district is brought in close touch with the rest and it 
has been enabled to render assistance in some way or 
other to every church in the district. Likewise, the 
congregations have contributed to the district work 
in general. Wherefore, since the organization of the 
Board in 1895, the receipts for missions have increased 
from less than $100 per year to more than $3,300, be- 
side the various amounts placed directly in the hands 
of the local committees by the churches, which in 
some instances equals the amount given to District 
work in general. 

The Board has been enabled to make appropriation 
in whole or in part toward the erection or purchase of 
twenty-four houses of worship and to push the work 
in various new fields, as well as assist in the older 
territory. In addition to this, it should be mentioned 
that in this timiC there have been many examples of 
noble personal devotion and sacrifice ; but to enumer- 
ate all these would require much space. Also the 
churches of the district have contributed annually 
various sums of money to the work under the care of 
the General Missionary and Tract Committee and for 
the past five years directly support two workers in 
India. 

While these statements give encouragement to the 
friends of missions, the writer is conscious of the fact 
that it would be possible for the churches of the Sec- 
ond District of Virginia to do many fold more work 
than what is being done at present, and it is hoped 

249 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

that the next decade will show far greater strides in 
the good work than has been made in the past. 

Educational Work. 

In all successful work for the Lord, the educational 
feature must be a companion in some form or 
other. It is true, our forefathers had no colleges to 
attend and they accomplished much good. Yet it 
should be remembered that they were real students of 
the Bible and nature. In this way some of them be- 
came learned men in their day and were powers for 
good. However, that which cost them a lifetime of 
toil to attain can be acquired in comparatively a few 
years under the method of instruction in a modern 
institution of learning. Therefore, the Brethren in 
Virginia see the importance of good schools under the 
care of the church. There are two such institutions 
in the State. The one is at Bridgewater, Rockingham 
County, and the other at Daleville, Botetourt County. 
Both of which are doing much for the church and 
their respective communities. 

Just when and where the first institution of learn- 
ing was established by the Virginia Brethren is not 
definitely known. That the early settlers were favor- 
able to education is generally conceded, for a number 
of them were men of learning. Doubtless they united 
their labors with other people in educational work and 
honors alike belong to all. Yet, in 1859, near Broad-~ 
way, Rockingham County, a school was established so 
distinctly associated with well-known Brethren of the 
time that special mention is made of it. What their 
full designs were will possibly never be known as the 

250 




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A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

war with its destruction came shortly afterward. 
Yet it is plainly evident that the school was designed 
to be above the ordinary grade. Eld. John Kline in 
his notes {" Life of John Kline " page 409) says: 

" Saturday, February 26. Attended a meeting 
which was held today to elect directors for the estab- 
lishment of an Academy, to be known by the name of 
Cedar Grove Academy, near my place. John J. Bow- 
man, John Zigler, and Daniel Miller were appointed." 

A building was erected which was used for school 
purposes many years, and was torn down only a few 
years ago. 

In the fall of 1880, Eld. Daniel C. Flory, assisted by 
Bro. James R. Shipman, established the Spring Creek 
Normal School. A year later it was expanded into 
the Spring Creek Normal School and Collegiate Insti- 
tute. In 1882, the institution was moved to Bridge- 
water and was called the Virginia Normal School. 
Seven years later the charter was amended and the 
institution assumed the name of Bridge water College, 
which title it has held with varying success to the 
present. In 1904, by action of the District Meeting 
of the Second District of Virginia the church took 
direct ownership and control of the institution. Since 
that time the addition to the equipment of the school 
has been very marked. The history of the Daleville 
School is fully given in a succeeding article. There- 
fore no mention of it is necessary here. 

With this short introduction of the educational 
work of the Brethren in Virginia we have an account 
of each of the two schools written by an Instructor in 
the respective institutions of learning. 
252 



EDUCATIONAL WORK 




Dr. John S. Flory. 



Bridgewater College. 

By Prof. John S. Flory. 

[Dr. Flory was born on a farm near Broadway, Vir- 
ginia. After spending his early years in the district 
schools, he attended the Broadway Graded School for 
three sessions, where he completed the high school course. 
In September, 1888, he entered Bridgewater College, 
where he remained two years. The session of 1890 to 
1891 was spent in the Ohio Normal University. He was 
a student in Mt. Morris College during the next three 

253 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

years, where he received the degree of B. Lit. From the 
fall of 1894 to the spring of 1902 he taught English 
Literature in Bridgewater College, where he received 
the degree of B. A. in June, 1902. In the fall of this year 
he entered upon post-graduate studies at the University 
of Virginia, While at this institution, Prof. Flory won 
rare distinction as a student and writer, and was also 
honored with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. His 
thesis oil the early literary activity of the German Bap- 
tist Brethren shows much painstaking labor,] 

The influence of Bridgewater College in the devel- 
opment of the Brethren Church in Virginia during the 
last quarter century must now engage our attention. 
With the nature of this influence and something of 
its extent, many of the readers of this book are al- 
ready familiar. Yet, it may be doubted whether many 
of us realize the true significance of this influence, or 
appreciate the extent to which it has been exercised. 
This influence has been exerted, for the most part, 
silently, and has accomplished its work by transform- 
ing our ideals, broadening our interests, clarifying our 
views, elevating our standards, directing our aims, 
and cultivating our emotions and sympathies. 

The college was not founded primarily as a relig- 
ious institution. The principal aim of its founders 
was to provide a school home for the Brethren's 
children, where their moral and spiritual condition 
should be carefully guarded while they were acquir- 
ing their secular education. The need of this was 
felt when it became certain that the young people 
were going to be educated whether the church took 
precaution to provide means for their instruction or 
not. And the repeated example of young men from 

254 



EDUCATIONAL WORK 

Brethren families going off to State or undenomi- 
national institutions or to those of other sects, and 
thus being led away from the church and lost to her 
service, forced the conviction that the only way to 
save the young people for the church was to provide 
for their education and at the same time surround 
them with wholesome moral and spiritual influences. 

This educational object was not peculiar to Vir- 
ginia, but was practically the same in Pennsylvania 
and Illinois, the other two centers of early educational 
endeavor among the Brethren. The idea of adding 
to the curricula courses of Bible study was an after- 
thought and came as a process of development. No 
education is complete without religious instruction, 
and our people were not long in realizing this. 

Consequently, our Bible courses are at present as 
definitely outlined and as carefully graded as any 
other department of our school work. 

That w^e as a people are deeply interested in relig- 
ious instruction is evident from the crowded condition 
of our Bible institutes year after year. The first of 
these institutes held at the college was during the 
session of 1891-2, and since 1894-5 they have been 
continued each year with increasing interest. For the 
last five years the average attendance has been about 
three hundred. 

The establishment of courses of Bible study at the 
college met with many hindrances and discourage- 
ments. When a demand for this work first arose 
there was no one in the faculty specially prepared to 
teach it. And rather than do the work in an unsatis- 
factory manner the arrangement of courses w^as de- 

255 



EDUCATIONAL WORK 

laved until some one could be secured or prepared 
for the position. As the former seemed impossible, it 
was arranged that Prof. S. N. McCann should prepare 
himself for this particular work. Accordingly he 
entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 
at Nashville, Tennessee, where he studied two years 
and would have graduated at the end of the third. 
This entire plan was broken up however, in the spring 
of 1897, when Prof. McCann was chosen by the Gen- 
eral Missionary and Tract Committee to go as a mis- 
sionary to India. Very much against his inclinations, 
as he preferred to give his life to the cause of the 
Master in the homeland, yet as he felt this a call from 
God, after a conference with Prof. W. B. Yount, 
president of the college, he decided to accept the call 
and go to the foreign field. Of his work there many 
who read these lines already know. 

This left the college again without a Bible in- 
structor, and tv/o more years were passed before 
courses of study were offered to the public. Since that 
time commendable interest has been shown in the 
work. A good number of persons have taken one or 
two years of the work, but up to this time only three 
have finished the complete course. Of these two are 
ministers of the Gospel and the third (a lady) is a 
missionary. 

The chief influence of the college, therefore, in de- 
veloping the work of the church has not been in the 
line of training theologians or producing biblical 
scholars ; it has been rather in the line of general 
scholarship. And in this respect the success of the 
college has been remarkable. Its graduates have taken 

257 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

rank along with those of the best colleges and univer- 
sities in the land, and are in constant demand among 
the higher institutions of learning. Wherever they 
have come in competition with the graduates of other 
institutions they have carried off more than their pro- 
portionate share of honors. Indeed it may safely be 
said that there is no other college in the State of 
whose graduates so large a per cent have achieved 
such signal success. 

These successes are in no way to be disassociated, 
however, from religious instruction. On the other 
hand it is impossible to tell how much of them is due 
to it. The morning prayer service in the presence of 
the whole school, the silent moments of thankfulness 
at the beginning of each meal, the weekly Sunday- 
school and preaching service which all attend, and the 
prayer meetings and the services of the Missionary 
Society in which many participate, all these engender 
and perpetuate a religious atmosphere whose steady- 
ing and sustaining power in the lives of young people 
cannot be estimated. While the direct teaching of the 
college, therefore, goes out to a large extent in the 
line of general scholarship, there is closely blended 
and intertwined with this that religious precept and 
Christian example whose atmosphere envelops a young 
life and leads to rounded, symmetrical Christian char- 
acter. And to the presence of this spirit in the college, 
which leads to high ideals in scholarship and charac- 
ter, and to pure and clean habits of living, is due in 
large m.easure the eminent success to which the gradu- 
ates have attained. 

To what results then has the training received at 
258 



EDUCATIONAL WORK 

the college, for the most part, led? Statistics will 
help us to decide. Taking first those who have com- 
pleted courses of study and have received diplomas, 
we find that they have gone largely into three occu- 
pations : the Christian ministry, educational work 
and agricultural pursuits. Of the men graduates, 
(for women do not enter the ministry) twenty-two 
and one half per cent, or nearly one-fourth, are today 
active ministers of the Gospel. Thirty-three per cent 
of the whole number of graduates have taken up edu- 
cational work, and the field of their activity is very 
broad. From the ungraded public schools they are 
found in all positions of the graded and high schools, 
as teachers or principals, to professorships in colleges 
and universities, and as presidents of colleges and 
higher institutions of learning in several parts of the 
United States. Nor are their activities entirely con- 
fined to the homeland, as the far-away Philippines 
claim several of them. 

The men who have gone into agricultural pursuits 
represent twenty-seven per cent of all who have grad- 
uated, but as the ladies refuse to compete with the men 
In this field, a more significant estimate is based on 
the number of men graduates. On this basis the num- 
ber is thirty-six per cent, so more than one third of 
the young men who have graduated from the college 
in all courses have returned to the farm. 

Many of the lady graduates have taught for a few 
years and later abandoned the ferrule for the rolling 
pin, and are today among the happy home-makers of 
the land. Thirty-five per cent of the lady graduates 
have married since leaving school. .This is the record 

259 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

for the last twenty years, from 1886 to 1906. Of 
those who have been cut of school as much as five 
years sixty-eight per cent are married. 

But these statistics tell only a partial truth. A 
large majority of those who have attended the col- 
lege have not graduated at all. These have been in 
attendance from short periods of a term or more to 
three or four years. And among them are numerous 
instances of conspicuous success. In this group are 
many teachers in the public schools, some holding the 
principalships of high schools at handsome salaries. 
Others have gone directly into the study of one or ail- 
other of the learned professions, medicine, law, den- 
tistry and the like. Others have become bankers, mer- 
chants, clerks, government officials ; while many more 
are amassing fortunes by tilling the soil, handling stock 
or growing fruit. And there is not wanting a large 
and important number who have laid their lives on the 
altar of sacrifice and are devoting their talents and 
their energies to the salvation of souls. Among these 
are about fifty ministers of the Gospel, scattered west- 
ward to the Pacific coast and northward to the Dako- 
tas, and more than a dozen missionaries working in 
various States and cities of the Union for the redemp- 
tion of mankind ; all these in addition to those who 
have completed courses of study. 

The comparative statistics of those who have grad- 
uated and those who have not are also interesting. 
Of the whole number of students who have been in 
regular attendance at the college about seventeen per 
cent have graduated in some course. Of the men 
who have not graduated about seven per cent have 

260 




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A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

become ministers of the Gospel; of those who have 
graduated about twenty-two per cent are ministers. 
Of the young men of Brethren homes who never go 
away to school at all, it is doubtful whether two per 
cent ever attain to the ministry. Only a year or two 
in school, therefore, multiplies this proportion several 
times, and residence long enough to complete a course 
increases the ratio of ministers at least tenfold. It 
is very seldom that a young man is elected to the min- 
istry in the Second District of Virginia, who has not 
attended or is not about to attend college. So it is only 
a matter of time when the ministry of the Brethren 
Church will consist almost exclusively of college-bred 
men. 

In the Sunday-school work also similar conditions 
prevail. In almost every school of the district at 
least one and frequently quite a number of the leading 
spirits in the work are those who have caught the 
contagion from attendance at the college. As the 
years pass by the significance of all this becomes all 
the time more apparent. The church is being gradu- 
ally officered, directed and taught by those who attend 
the college. 

Whether we realize it or not, Bridgewater College is 
making the Brethren Church in Virginia what it is. 
According as the school is supported and developed 
will its influence for good be increased. When it is 
once placed on the financial footing it deserves, so that 
its direct power can shape the lives of our young peo- 
ple by the thousands instead of the hundreds, will it 
be in position to do the work possible for it. Its past 
is full of faithful service, true devotion to a noble 
262 



EDUCATIONAL WORK 

cause, heroic sacrifice and splendid results. Its future 
is large with opportunity and possibility. The oppor- 
tunity is ours, and it is for us to determine how many 
of the possibilities shall be attained. 

The Botetourt Normal College. 
By Prof. G. A. Layman. 

To the person writing the history of one individual, 
how many difficulties present themselves! So many 
things he does not know which he would like to know ! 
Again, which of the many things he does know should 
be recorded with most profit to the readers? Then 
how much more perplexing to write a history, though 
it be ever so brief, of a school which has had to do 
with so many individuals ! Though the Botetourt Nor- 
mal College at Daleville, Virginia, is as yet not a large 
school, not as large as it ought to be, yet it has ex- 
erted quite an influence upon the lives of a number 
of young people and for the church. 

It had its beginning seventeen years ago as a 
" Select School " in the private families of two of its 
faithful patrons, B. F. Nininger and G. G. Layman. 
This school was conducted by Prof. I. N. H. Beahm. 
Here we quote from an article in the first " Quarterly " 
the school put out, " So eminently successful was 
Prof. Beahm in his work that the demands of the 
community upon the select school necessitated more 
room.." Out of these circumstances grew Botetourt 
Normal College, which had its first session in what 
was then the young men's dormitory (this building has 
since been burned down and is replaced by a large 
brick structure). 

263 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

The young school had two advanced courses of 
study, the Enghsh Scientific Course and the Teach- 
ers' Course. While it gathered a few boarders, the 
day student predominated. Limited in accommoda- 
tions and numbers, it nevertheless did thorough, hon- 
est work from its first day. Among the men Prof. 
Beahm called to assist him in the first faculty of the 
school were Prof. C. E. Arnold, late president of Mc- 
Pherson College, Kansas, to which place he went from 
Daleville, and Prof. D. N. EUer who has been with 
the school ever since and is at present the president 
of the school. 

It was in the autumn of the year 1891 that the in- 
stitution was chartered by the Legislature of Virginia 
to confer degrees. During the same fall the students 
organized the Victorian Literary Society, which was 
a potent factor in the work of the school for fourteen 
years. It was then divided and the two rival societies, 
which were known as the Columbian and the Aristo- 
blian, absorbed the mother society. 

Early in the career of the school the department of 
music was organized. This department steadily grew 
and soon became one of the drawing attractions of 
the school. Two of the most faithful and efficient 
workers in connection with this department were 
Misses Flora Mae Nininger and Nellie AlcVey, both 
deceased. Miss Nininger also was the founder of the 
Botetourt Memorial Missionary Circle, which has al- 
ways been in close touch with the religious and mis- 
sionary spirit of the school. Miss McVey went from 
here to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and later to Lords- 
burg, California, still in the interest of music. 
264 



EDUCATIONAL WORK 

If we would say it was Prof. I. N. H. Beahm who 
gave the school its beginning, we would say it was 
Prof. C. E. Arnold who gave it its first classic touch 
and Prof. D. N. EUer who gave it its sustenance and 
very life until now. Again I quote from Volume One 
of the " Botetourt Normal Quarterly " : "As students 
and graduates went out from Botetourt Normal Col- 
lege into various fields of activity, the school became 
more and more widely known and many new friends 
were attracted to it by the thoroughness with which it 
trained its students. A steady growth was thus en- 
gendered and on January 1, 1898, was dedicated the 
splendid new building which is now the m.ain building 
of the college. About the same time was added the 
Latin Scientific course of study and later the College 
Preparatory course." 

Although the attendance has not grown as measur- 
ably as the most sanguine had hoped, nevertheless the 
w^ants and the demands grew and thus new depart- 
ments were continually added to meet this demand. 
First a commercial department, then a shorthand and 
typewriting course. In due season the demand for 
Bible study had become so strong that a Bible de- 
partment was organized. Probably the most interest- 
ing feature of this is the special Bible Term of two 
weeks held each school session, when specialists are 
secured for instructors along the several lines of Bible 
study. This is attended each evening by revival serv- 
ices. 

Now, also there is an Elocution and Art department 
connected with the school, thus giving adequate facili- 
ties for students in a variety of dififerent depart- 

265 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

ments. The different departments have been strength- 
ened by keeping in touch with other accredited schools. 

The equipment of the school has also grown very 
appreciably, which also is significant of its real 
growth. From the " Quarterly," Volume two, Number 
two, we have this account : " For five years the large 
frame building which was erected by Prof. I. N. H. 
Beahm to accommodate the entire school did service 
as young men's dormitory. For several years it 
proved hardly equal to the demands upon it until 
on January 9, 1903, Providence played a part, and it 
was reduced to ashes. In less than twenty-four hours 
our able and enterprising Board of Trustees had set 
on foot a plan for a new building. Friends of the 
school are now declaring that the fire was a blessing 
in disguise. If that be true the disguise is very thin, 
for in place of a cold, crowded, stove-heated frame 
building, the young men will have a warm, commodi- 
ous, steam-heated brick building with a recitation 
room and large chapel under their own roof. The 
blessing will also extend to the young ladies for the 
steam heat will be made to heat their building also." 

Besides this in building, many other improvements 
have been constantly added for the comfort of the 
students and to the efficiency of the classrooms. 

Of the seventy-five graduates who have gone out 
from the college all but one are living, as far as the 
writer knows. Several are holding professorships in 
colleges and high schools, some are doing graduate 
work in universities, and others are teaching in the 
public schools, or filling important positions in the 
pulpit, bar, civil service and business. Taken as a 
266 




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A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

whole, the Ahimni of the institution comprise a band 
of young people, active, zealous and enterprising, of 
whom any institution may justly feel proud. The 
Alumni Association already is becoming a source of 
inspiration and support to the school. It has con- 
tributed to the library the splendid collection of books 
known as " World's Best Literature " edited by Charles 
Dudley Warner. It has on foot a movement for es- 
tablishing and maintaining a permanent scholarship 
for the benefit of worthy, needy students. The leading 
spirit in this movement is Mr. A. K. Graybill of Wash- 
ington, D. C. 

But we would not do justice to the school if we 
did not speak of the many successful undergraduates 
whom the school has turned out. Quite a number of 
these have already become permanent factors in the 
work of the world. Some have entered other schools 
and colleges and are making good records. Primarily, 
it is the chief aim and purpose of the school under the 
present limitations of some of its circumstances, to 
emphasize its preparatory and normal work, although 
a few students have been so loyal to their Alma Mater 
as to remain with her to complete the higher courses 
she offers. 

The Botetourt Normal College has never had a 
large enrollment, but thanks to the generosity of its 
Board of Trustees and Faculty, on this account the 
highest interests of the school have never been over- 
looked, thus lifting it above other institutions run for 
the selfish purpose of individual gain, irrespective of 
the good they may render to the age. The land and 
buildings have been donated by friends, chief among 

268 



EDUCATIONAL WORK 

them being Air. B. F. Nininger and Eld. T. C. Denton, 
and, too, D. N. Eller, the efficient president and in- 
structor. 

At the present the school has a conscientious and 
efficient corps of instructors and an unusually loyal 




FACULTY (1906-'07) OF BOTETOURT NORMAL COLLEGE. 

A. C. Flora E. V. Crumpacker J. D. MUler 
L. C. Coffman Mrs. Jessie Hylton G. A. Layman 

C. S. Ikenberrj^ D. Newton Eller J. W. Ikenberry 



band of students who seem to realize what advantages 
an education provides. Also quite an interest is man- 
ifested by friends and patrons in contributing scholar- 
ships, several of which are being used this year for 
deserving students unable to provide their own ex- 
penses. 

269 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

There is now a move on foot to make the school the 
property of the German Baptist Brethren Church, 
which denomination has been the chief factor in its 
development. If the query before District Meeting 
receives the endorsement of that body, it will be- 
come the property of the First District of Virginia 
and the District of Tennessee. The advantages of 
this, both to the church and the ^ school, must be ap- 
parent to every thoughtful mind. If this hope is 
realized there must be a great and widening field 
opened for the Botetourt Normal College. 

The Sunday School Work. 

Shoulder to shoulder with other lines of endeavor 
for the Lord, stands the Sunday-school worker with 
Bible in hand. His mission is to gather the young 
and old alike each Lord's Day to instruct them in the 
ways of Truth. 

Among the churches in Virginia can be found many 
enthusiastic Sunday-school workers, and it is im- 
possible to estimate the great amount of good they 
accomplish for the church and humanity. The or- 
ganization is not unlike that of any other part of the 
Brotherhood. In the two districts of Virginia it is 
almost identical. 

The reader has already seen that in principle the 
Sunday-school instruction was used by some of the 
first Brethren who settled in Virginia. But, subse- 
quent to this, for a time Sunday schools were not 
held in favor by the churches. However, time has 
wrought a great change and no church is considered 
270 



SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK 

fully equipped without a Sunday school. The growth 
in this line of Christian work has been very marked 
during the last several decades. 

In the First District the work is under the general 
supervision of Eld. C. S. Ikenberry of Daleville, Vir- 
ginia. In his work he is given five assistants, whose 
duty is to visit the different Sunday schools, hold meet- 
ings, and make reports to the general secretary, which 
are used in his annual recommendation to the 
churches. The secretary and his five assistants con- 
stitute the Sunday-school committee of the District. 
The report for 1906 show^s thirty-three Sunday 
schools. 

In the Second District the organization differs in 
the number of assistants given the Secretary. In this 
district the work is under the general supervision of 
Eld. S. I. Flory with two in place of five assistants. 
These likewise visit the Sunday schools, arrange for 
meetings and make report. There is also a regular 
Sunday-school meeting held each year with the local 
churches in turn. 

The report of the Sunday-school Secretary for the 
year 1906 shows eighty-nine Sunday schools in the 
district, seventy-six of which report 5,010 scholars en- 
rolled, an average attendance of 3,201, and collec- 
tions amounting to $1,631.73. Supposing the other 
thirteen schools to have an average enrollment, we 
have in the eighty-nine schools of the district 5,850 
scholars enrolled and an average attendance of 3,750. 



271 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

The Charitable Work of the Church. 

There is nothing relating to the Brethren that more 
fully commends itself to the thoughtful mind than 
their acts of charity. This has been remarkably true 
of the church in Virginia from its earliest history to 
the present. Neither have these benevolent acts been 
confined to the members of the church alone, but to the 
unfortunate regardless of church affiliation. Yet, to 
those within the church the obligation would seem the 
greater, for " Whoso hath this world's good, and 
seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his 
bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the 
love of God in him ? " 

Wherefore, it has been the universal practice of the 
Virginia churches to care for its destitute members 
and not allow them to become dependent upon the 
almshouse. For years provisions have been furnished 
to their homes if circumstances permit. In other in- 
stances homes were provided for them in private fam- 
ilies. But in recent years the Second District of Vir- 
ginia established a home for the aged homeless or, 
as it is styled, an Old Folks' Home. This pro- 
vides a comfortable dwelling for the declining years 
of those who have no homes. This was inaugurated 
by the appointment of Michael Zigler, Samuel F. 
Miller and Noah Beery in the spring of 1888 to take 
under advisement the feasibility of the district es- 
tablishing such a home. The committee made a report 
to the District Meeting of 1890, favorable to the es- 
tablishment of the home. The report was accepted 
and a Board of Directors consisting of five members 

272 



CHARITABLE WORK 

was appointed with authority to raise money and con- 
struct a home. In this they were successful. Thirty- 
one acres of land were purchased near Timberville ; 
suitable buildings erected; and on March 1, 1892, Bro. 




Old Folks' Home, of the Second District of "Virginia. 



Daniel Wine and wife took charge of the home as 
superintendent and matron. 

Since then it has been in constant use. In this time 
the inmates range in number from ten to twenty-five. 
W^hile the home has had its trials, it has given comfort 
to many otherwise destitute lives, and is on a solid 
financial footing. In addition to bodily comforts it is 
the policy of the management to give such religious 
exercise as is best adapted to develop the spiritual 
Hfe. 

Prompted by the same spirit and for the present 
closely associated with the Old Folks' home is the 

273 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

Orphans' Home in the Second District of Virginia. 
This institution is Httle past the experimental period, 
but it has already demonstrated to an extent the 
possibility of such an institution in our midst. 

In 1904 the following petition was presented to the 
District Meeting, which was passed with the appended 
answer : 

The Beaver Creek congregation petitions District 
Meeting of the Second District of Virginia to appoint 
a committee of five to investigate the propriety of the 
founding of an Orphans' Home either in connection 
with the Old Folks' Home or separate, and report to 
District Meeting of 1905. 

Answer. — Petition granted and D. H. Zigler, J. W. 
Wampler, P. S. Thomas, J, M. Kline and Minor Cline 
were appointed as the committee. 

To the District ^Meeting of 1905 the committee re- 
ports that, 

We, your committee, after securing information 
and getting reports from a majority of the churches 
in our District, would recommend the establishing of 
an Orphans' Home in the Second District of Virginia 
and would further recommend, for the consideration 
of the committee to be appointed, the proposition 
made by the Directors of the Old Folks' Home. 

The report was accepted and the committee was 
authorized to carry its recommendations into effect. 

A charter was at once procured and the proposition 
of the Directors of the Old Folks' Home made it 
possible to receive a limited number of orphans with- 
out delay. At present the institution is being run on 
the Home Finding plan, and a number of little lives 
are receiving blessings thereby. 
274 



CHARITABLE WORK 

It has also been found that the industrial feature 
should be added to meet the demands. To this end 
a committee has been appointed. Possibly there is no 
line of Christian work more worthy of an unstinted 
support than the effort to rescue the ragged little 
waifs from their condition of destitution and instill 
into them the principles of true citizenship and the 
nobleness of a Christian character. 

The record of the church of Virginia would not be 
complete without a mention of the Sisters' Aid So- 
cieties. These organizations stand as an example 
of a spirit of true helpfulness to others. They wisely 
have the full sanction of the church and year by year 
greater good is being done by them in every line of 
Christian endeavor. Like Dorcas of old, these sisters 
prefer the ornament of good works rather than exces- 
sive bodily adornment. The possibilities for good 
arising from the united action of such consecrated 
workers is beyond measure. 

The church has also wisely considered the needs of 
her workers. The Ministerial Meeting, the Bible 
Class, the Bible Term at the colleges, and the Sunday 
School Conventions provide the ministers and Sunday- 
school workers ample opportunity for improvement. 
In addition to these, the Christian Workers' and 
prayer meetings with the usual assemblage at the 
sanctuary of the Lord afford a means of development 
in Christian life that should meet the requirement of 
the times. 

In the stride for the advancement of Gospel teach- 
ing and in the relief of the unfortunate, the church in 
Virginia has not been forgetful of the evils that beset 

275 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

mankind. It has been seen in a previous chapter 
how slavery was opposed to the last measure. No less 
uncompromising has been the attitude of the church 
against the rum traffic. At no time could a saloon- 
keeper or manufacturer of intoxicating liquors have 
been received into the church without abandoning his 
unrighteous vocation. The sale of grain or fruit to 
distillers by a member of the church is also incompati- 
ble with her councils. In the campaign against the 
saloon and the rum traffic in general there is no un- 
certainty about the attitude of the Brethren as a body 
being for its banishment. The use of tobacco is like- 
wise discouraged as being useless expenditure of 
money and injurious to the health of the individual 
as well. 

In doctrine the church in Virginia is in full accord 
with the Brotherhood at large. Like the founders 
of the church, it challenges all creeds and confessions 
of faith by turning triumphantly to the Word of God 
for its faith and the rule for its practice. Wherefore, 
the commands of the New Testament Scriptures are 
held by living obedience, as the author of " The Ger- 
mans of the Shenandoah \^alley," page 128, says of 
the Brethren: 

*' They observe as religious ordinances the kiss of 
charity, feet-washing, and the apostolic love-feast 
(a^^ape) in connection with - the communion in the 
eucharist ; they practice the rite of anointing with oil, 
in cases of severe illness, though they do not at all 
neglect medical and hygienic aids ; they avoid the 
taking of oaths (holding their simple word as binding 
all their powers), going to law, membership in secret 

276 



GENERAL REVIEW 

societies, and fashionable dress; and are unalterably, 
opposed to war and easy divorce of husband and wife. 
In consequence of their nonresistant principles, they, 
like the Mennonites, have been accused of a lack of 
patriotism, and have at times suffered much in conse- 
quence of this and their refusal to bear arms. But 
they are not lacking in patriotism. They only believe 
that war is always wrong" and debasing. They believe, 
as a thoughtful writer of history has said, that ' there 
are few things, if any, more important to the steady 
growth of a free nation than the maintenance of do- 
mestic virtues and the sanctities of family life.' They 
believe in helping the State and the Nation, not by 
means of war and great standing armies, but by the 
useful and productive industries of peace ; by earning 
an honest living, paying just debts and equitable taxes, 
by avoiding strife and contention as far as possible, 
by settling peaceably, man to man or by additional 
counselors, such disputes as inevitably arise; and thus 
making almshouses, jails, law courts, asylums, many 
policemen, and the expense of maintaining all these, 
largely unnecessary. They would apply this principle 
of peaceable adjustment of differences upon a large 
scale, and have nations, as well as individuals, observe 
the golden rule in business and diplomacy, and settle 
all disputed points by honest and just arbitration be- 
fore, rather than after, the battle." 

In almost every part of the State and surrounding 
territory where churches have been established they 
indicate a healthy growth. The combined membership 
of the two districts number more than 11,000 com- 
municants. In Rockingham, Augusta, and Shenan- 

277 



A HISTORY OF THE BRETHREN 

doah counties the membership is the largest. Rocking- 
ham alone has six strong local organizations with a 
considerable margin of two other churches jutting 
across its borders, the combined membership of which 
exceeds that of any other county in America. In the 
southwest the membership is large in Floyd, Franklin, 
Botetourt, and Roanoke counties. And with the bless- 
ings attendant on the simple life, with the present 
opportunities for spiritual and intellectual develop- 
ment, and w^ith an unrestricted and practically unlim- 
ited mission territory on every hand, the Virginia 
churches have a responsibility they dare not ignore. 

The organizers of the church, as well as the leaders 
during the different periods were men well qualified 
for the duties of their time. They displayed much wis- 
dom in the guidance of the church in their day. We 
look back to them, not that they can guide us now, but 
that their clear insight into the needs of their time and 
their willingness to meet them may inspire us to nobler 
endeavor. 

Greatly different are the requirements of the pres- 
ent, to meet which, the worker of today must be well 
equipped with a training coequal with the advance- 
ment of the age. We do not most honor the noble men 
of the past by adopting their methods, but by improv- 
ing upon them. A greater work is upon the church 
today than ever before, but by devotion to duty and in 
the same true spirit of righteousness we can conquer 
for Christ. In this we can well be their imitators and 
in this way their greatest legacy comes to us. 

♦ The End. 

278 



APR 22 1908 



